"C 


ll!Hi 


m 
i 


Care  and  Treatment  of  the 

Jewish  Blind  in  the 

City  of  New  York 


BY 

FLORINA  LASKER 

ETTA  LASKER 

LOULA   LASKER 


i 


NEW  YORK 

BUREAU   OF   PHILANTHROPIC  RESEARCH 

FEBRUARY.  1918 


PUBLICATION  NUMBER  3 


Care  and  Treatment  of  the 

Jewish  Blind  in  the 

City  of  New  York 


BY 

FLORINA  LASKER 

ETTA  LASKER 

LOULA  LASKER 


NEW   YORK 

BUREAU  OF   PHILANTHROPIC  FIESEARCH 

FEBRUARY,  1918 


^ 


.^' 


(o 


OFFICERS 


BUREAU   OF  PHILANTHROPIC  RESEARCH 


Leo  Arnstein,  Chairman 
Adolph  Lewisohn,  Vice-Chairman 
Cyrus  L.  Sulzberger,  Treasurer 
Abraham  Oseroff,  Secretary 


CONTENTS 

PAGE 

Preface 5 

I.  Method  of  Investigation 7 

Definition  of  blind  as  applied  in  this  study.  Com- 
pilation of  a  census  of  the  Jewish  blind.  List  of  all 
agencies  and  institutions  dealing  with  the  Jewish  blind 
in  Manhattan  and  the  Bronx.  Investigation  divided 
into  two  parts — case  study  of  all  blind  individuals,  study 
of  agencies  previously  listed.  Investigation  limited  to 
those  phases  of  the  situation  largely  dependent  on  the 
Jewish  community  for  solution. 

II.  General  Description  of  292  Blind  Adults 15 

Majority  married  men  and  women  of  working  age, 
foreign  bom.  About  half  totally  blind,  half  suffering 
from  partial  blindness  or  defective  vision.  Sickness  and 
ill  health  prevalent.  A  few  mentally  subnormal.  Edu- 
cation for  the  most  part  meagre.  Multiplicity  of  handi- 
caps suggests  vital  need  for  community  aid. 

III.  Problems  of  Relief 25 

Complexity  of  the  problem.  Study  of  agencies  in 
the  field.  Policy  of  many  of  these  agencies  not  in  accord 
with  modem  principles  of  relief.  Essentials  of  a  sound 
relief  policy.  Case  histories  illustrating  violations  of 
these  essentials.  Lack  of  co-operation  between  existing 
agencies.  Causes  responsible  for  this  failure  to  co-operate. 
Conclusion — Unification  of  administration  necessary. 

IV.  Problems  of  Employment 49 

Enforced  economic  dependence  of  the  blind.  Their 
demand  for  work.  Organized  effort  essential  to  meet 
this  demand.  Existing  effort  inadequate.  Analysis  of 
industrial  histories  of  104  blind  men.  Earnings  before 
and  after  blindness.  Striking  decrease  general.  Occu- 
pations— Opportunities  for  Jewish  blind  in  workshop  of 
the  New  York  Association  limited.  Favorable  oppor- 
tunities in  peddling,  in  newsstand  operating,  and  as 
commission  agents.  Technical  and  professional  fields  at 
present  overcrowded  with  sighted  competitors.  Con- 
clusion— Imperative  need  for  formation  of  employment 
bureau  to  study  industrial  and  commercial  field  and 
special  abilities  and  aptitudes  of  the  blind. 


376i5.> 


PAGE 

V.  Problems  of  Recreation ■  ■•  67 

Vital  need  for  recreational  provision  for  the  blind. 
Agencies  in  the  field.  Character  of  facilities  provided. 
Case  histories  illustrating  present  inadequacy.  Con- 
clusion—Need for  extension  of  existing  facilities  and 
for  intensive  personal  service. 

VI.  Institutional  Problems 77 

Care  and  education  of  blind  children.  Care  and 
shelter  of  aged  blind. 

A.  Unusual  educational  and  institutional  facilities 
available  for  blind  children.  Existing  institutions. 
Question  of  a  separate  Jewish  institution.  Intensive 
survey  revealed  only  a  small  group  eligible.  Niimber 
of  blind  children  constantly  decreasing.  High  standard 
of  excellence  of  existing  institutions  not  soon  attainable 
by  small,  newly  established  institution.  Present  insti- 
tutions eager  to  co-operate  in  providing  reUgious  educa- 
tion. Other  difficulties  also  adjustable.  Conclusion — 
Separate  institution  for  blind  Jewish  children  inad- 
visable; required  elements  for  their  care  attainable  by 
co-operation  with  existing  agencies. 

B.  Need  for  additional  institutional  facilities  for 
the  aged  recognized.  Special  needs  of  aged  blind  not 
supplied.  Available  institutions  for  Jewish  aged  and 
nimiber  of  inmates.  Additional  provision  in  process. 
Special  shelters  for  aged  blind  objectionable.  Necessity 
for  adapting  existing  institutions  to  meet  special  needs 
of  the  blind  advocated.  Supplementary  organized  out- 
side effort  required.  Conclusion — Extension  of  existing 
capacities  of  homes  for  the  aged  recommended,  as  well 
as  provision  of  special  facilities  to  meet  the  peculiar 
needs  of  blind  inmates. 

VII.  Problems  of  Begging 91 

Proportion  of  blind  beggars.  Case  histories  illus- 
trating complexity  of  problems  involved.  Conclusion — 
Need  for  social  program  to  provide  for  suitable  employ- 
ment, adequate  relief,  appropriate  institutional  care, 
proper  recreational  opportunities. 

VIII.  General  Conclusion 107 

Recommendation  of  a  bureau  for  the  Jewish  blind 
to  function  as  a  clearing  house ;  to  co-ordinate  all  existing 
effort;  to  centralize  administration  of  relief;  to  estab- 
lish a  department  of  employment  for  this  handicapped 
class. 


PREFACE 

Until  four  years  ago  there  were  only  two  specialized 
agencies  interested  in  the  welfare  of  the  Jewish  blind 
in  Manhattan  and  the  Bronx — the  New  York  Asso- 
ciation for  the  Blind,  a  large  non-sectarian  agency  which 
ministers  to  the  needs  of  all  the  blind  of  New  York 
City,  and  the  Committee  on  the  Blind  of  the  Council 
of  Jewish  Women,  a  body  of  earnest  and  devoted  women 
who  undertook  to  specialize  in  this  field,  endeavoring 
to  bring  the  unfortunate  state  of  this  handicapped  class 
before  the  public  and  to  serve  them  in  every  necessary 
capacity. 

Between  two  groups  of  this  latter  body,  there  arose 
differences  of  opinion  as  to  policies  and  methods,  which 
finally  had  their  climax  in  the  withdrawal  of  one  group 
from  the  Council  and  in  their  separate  organization 
and  later  incorporation  as  the  Guild  for  the  Jewish 
Blind,  with  objects  and  purposes  similar  to  those  of  the 
parent  body.  The  Council  continued  its  Committee, 
but  its  work  for  the  blind  since  that  time  has  become 
of  minor  importance. 

But  further  disharmony  arose  in  the  field  after  the 
organization  of  the  Guild.  There  existed  at  that  time 
a  group  of  blind  Jewish  people  of  the  East  Side  who  felt 
that  the  problems  of  the  blind  were  not  being  adequately 
handled  by  the  existing  agencies.  Taking  the  position 
that  the  blind  themselves  had  never  been  given  a  fair 
share  in  the  management  of  their  own  problems  and 
determining  that,  henceforward  they  would  take  an 
important  part  in  the  direction  of  their  own  affairs,  this 
group  of  blind  persons  resolved  to  form  an  agency  of 
their  own  and  founded  The  Hebrew  Association  for  the 
Blind — the  fourth  specialized  agency  to  enter  the  field. 

Unfortunately,  for  one  reason  or  another,  these 
various  agencies  have  not  been  able  to  work  out  any 
program  of  sincere  cooperation.  Several  attempts  have 
been  made  by  interested  people  to  induce  all  these 
organizations  to  meet  and  discuss  their  mutual  problems, 


hoping  that  through  such  meetings,  misunderstandings 
might  be  exphiincd,  differences  lessened,  and  if  com- 
plete cooperation  did  not  ensue,  that  at  least  a  working 
agreement  might  be  reached  whereby  the  situation 
would  be  appreciably  bettered.  One  such  meeting  did 
indeed  take  place,  but  led  to  no  definite  results. 

The  effect  of  this  lack  of  cooperation  on  the  blind 
people  themselves  can  readily  be  imagined.  The  mul- 
tiplicity of  investigations  by  various  agencies  all  differing 
fundamentally  in  theory  and  practice,  the  division  of 
authority,  with  its  consequent  duplications  and  ornis- 
sions — these  are  but  some  of  the  results  of  a  situation 
which  the  Jewish  community  must  sooner  or  later  face, 
if  it  seek  to  meet  its  full  responsibilities  in  connection 
with  this  group. 

It  was  for  the  purpose  of  gathering  information  upon 
which  to  base  a  constructive  program  tending  to  co- 
ordinate, perhaps  to  reorganize,  work  for  the  Jewish 
blind  in  Manhattan  and  the  Bronx,  that  this  survey  was 
undertaken.  Begun  in  November,  1916,  the  survey  was 
not  completed  until  March  of  the  present  year. 

No  startling  or  remarkable  discoveries  can  be  claimed 
as  a  result  of  this  investigation,  nor  the  establishment 
of  any  theories  which  will  radically  change  the  ideas 
of  those  interested  in  work  for  the  Jewish  blind.  Yet 
it  is  definitely  felt  that  by  an  impartial  survey  of  the 
whole  field,  by  patient  research  and  careful  interpretation 
of  the  material  obtained,  it  has  been  possible  to  throw 
definite  light  on  the  problems  presented,  and,  in  view 
of  this  newly  gathered  information,  to  formulate  the 
constructive  program  which  has  been  the  practical 
object  of  the  study. 

Abraham  Oseroff, 

Secretary. 

Bureau  of  Philanthropic  Research, 
New  York. 

February,   1918. 


I.     METHOD   OF   INVESTIGATION 


CARE  AND  TREATMENT  OF  THE  JEWISH  BLIND 


I.     METHOD   OF   INVESTIGATION 

Who  arc  the  bhnd  coming  within  the  scope  of  this 
survey?  Obviously,  before  beginning  the  investigation 
it  was  necessary  to  define  accurately  the  term  employed. 
The  word  "blind"  is  an  elastic  one  and  may  be  more  or 
less  inclusive,  but  for  purposes  of  this  study  the  blind 
are  defined  as  "all  those  who  because  of  total  loss  of 
vision  or  defective  eyesight  are  unable  to  be  self  sup- 
porting and  to  take  full  advantage  of  the  social  and 
communal  opportunities  open  to  sighted  persons."  It 
will  be  seen  that  this  definition  is  a  broad  one  including 
within  its  scope  many  who,  from  a  medical  point  of 
view,  could  hardly  be  considered  blind. 

The  compilation  of  a  census  was  the  first  step  taken  in 
the  course  of  this  investigation,  for  no  definite  infor- 
mation regarding  the  number  of  Jewish  blind  in  Man- 
hattan and  the  Bronx  was  available,  previous  estimates 
by  those  in  closest  touch  with  the  situation  varying  from 
300  to  800.  In  order  to  obtain  the  necessary  information 
inquiries  were  sent  or  personal  visits  paid  to  every  agency 
or  institution  within  the  area  considered  which  might  have 
the  names  of  any  Jewish  blind  persons  on  their  registers. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  various  co-operating 
agencies  and  institutions,  together  with  the  number 
of  Jewish  blind  persons  registered  by  each:* 

New  York  Guild  for  the  Jewish  BHnd 200 

New  York  Association  for  the  Blind 170 

United  Hebrew  Charities 114 

Hebrew  Association  for  the  Blind 96 

Department  of  Public  Charities 66 


*  In  this  list  is  not  included  State  institutions  or  agencies: 
Manhattan  State  Hospital  for  the  Insane 
New  York  State  School  for  the  Blind  at  Batavia 
New  York  State  Commission  for  the  Blind 
New  York  State  Committee  for  Prevention  of  BHndness 
Division  of  Educational  Extension  under  the  State  Department  of 
Education 

8 


METHOD   OF   INVESTIGATION 

New  York  Public  Library 45 

Matilda  Ziegler  Magazine  for  the  Blind 34 

Rome  for  Aged  and  Infirm  Hebrews 23 

Council  of  Jewish  Women 21 

Home  of  the  Daughters  of  Jacob 18 

Department  of  Education 19 

New  York  Institute  for  the  Blind 14 

Free  Synagogue 12 

Montefiore  Home 9 

International  Sunshine  Society 6 

City   Home   for   the  Aged  and  Infirm  (Blackwell's 

Island)    6 

Young  Men's  Hebrew  Association 4 

Home  of  the  Daughters  of  Israel 4 

Young  Women's  Hebrew  Association 3 

Custodial  Asylum  and  School  for  the  Feeble-Minded 

■(Randall's  Island) 3 

Society  for  the  Relief  of  the  Destitute  Blind 2 

Home  of  the  Sons  and  Daughters  of  Israel 1 

Home  of  the  Sons  and  Daughters  of  Jacob 1 

City  Hospital 1 

Metropolitan  Museum Unknown 

Museiim  of  Natural  History    Unknown 

People's  University  Extension  Society  of  New 

York Unknown 

Many  delays  were  encountered  and  many  obstacles 
had  to  be  overcome  before  the  census  could  be  completed, 
yet  the  majority  of  the  organizations  approached  rendered 
prompt  and  willing  assistance.  An  illustration  of  the 
method  employed  in  compiling  the  census  is  found  in 
the  manner  in  which  the  number  of  blind  Jewish  pen- 
sioners of  the  city  was  procured.  The  Department  of 
Public  Charities,  upon  being  requested  to  furnish  a  list 
of  the  Jewish  blind  who  were  recipients  of  the  city 
pension,  freely  offered  its  co-operation  but  reported  that 
no  record  was  kept  as  to  the  religion  of  applicants. 
Simply  to  choose  the  names  which  sounded  Jewish  was 
not  considered  a  sufficiently  reliable  method.  Finally, 
however,  the  Department  itself  offered  a  solution  by 
allowing  the  investigators  to  be  present  at  the  various 
stations  where  the  indigent  blind  received  their  semi- 
annual pension,  thus  making  it  possible  to  obtain  from 
the  blind  individuals  themselves  their  names,  religion, 
and  addresses. 


CARE   AND   TREATMENT   OF   THE   JEWISH    BLIND 

The  lists  procured  from  all  sources  furnished  the  basis 
for  a  compilation  of  the  complete  census,  for,  though 
there  was  countless  duplication  of  names,  no  single 
agency  offered  a  nearly  exhaustive  register.  After  the 
duplications  were  weeded  out,  a  single  card  was  made 
for  each  individual,  and  a  record  noted  on  the  card  of 
the  various  sources  from  which  the  name  had  been 
obtained.  The  complete  verified  census  includes  the 
names  of  422  blind  Jewish  persons,  349  living  in  private 
families  and  73  in  institutions.  In  addition  to  these, 
there  were  secured  the  names  of  104  blind  persons, 
whose  addresses  could  not  be  verified,  making  a  grand 
total  of  526  blind  Jewish  persons  in  the  boroughs  of 
Manhattan  and  the  Bronx,  if  this  latter  group  be  added 
to  the  registry.* 

The  census  having  been  completed,  the  actual  work 
of  the  investigation  was  begun.  Unlike  previous  studies 
of  the  Jewish  blind  in  New  York,  which  were  more  or 
less  superficial  in  nature,  it  was  definitely  decided  to 
make  a  survey  of  the  situation  so  detailed  and  intensive 
as  to  cover  practically  every  fact  that  could  throw  light 
upon  the  condition  of  the  persons  coming  within  its 
scope.  The  plan  formulated  was  two-fold :  first,  to  make 
a  careful  case  study  of  all  Jewish  blind  persons  in  Man- 
hattan and  the  Bronx;  second,  to  make  an  intensive 
investigation  of  the  most  important  agencies  in  this  area 
dealing  with  the  group  under  consideration. 

For  the  purpose  of  the  case  study  the  two  schedules 
submitted  on  the  following  pages  were  prepared.  Realiz- 
ing that  the  social  and  economic  history  of  the  blind 
individual  can  not  be  separated  from  that  of  his  family, 
it  was  decided  to  use  two  forms — the  first  to  contain 
general  items  of  interest  concerning  the  entire  family, 
the  second  to  contain  special  items  of  interest  concern- 
ing the  blind  individual  himself. 


_  Although  only  those  liHnd  persons  registered  by  the  above  agencies  or 
institutions  are  inckuled  in  this  number,  yet  it  is  beHeved  that  the  final  figure 
here  given  does  not  fall  far  short  of  the  actual  number  of  Jewish  blind  living  in 
Manhattan  and  the  Bronx.  It  may  safely  be  taken  for  granted  that,  with  few 
exceptions,  nearly  every  l)lind  person  has  at  some  time  or  other  come  in  contact 
%yith  at  least  one  of  these  organizations— educational,  recreational  or  philan- 
thropic. 


10 


METHOD   OF    INVESTIGATION 


z 

2 

J 

o 
o 

J3 

1 

m 

1^ 

>H 

S 

O 
H 
in 

X 

0) 

J 

6 
o 

Z 

o 

t/1 

B 
o 
o 

p=^ 

01 

e 

Ph 

'o 

o 

J3 
O 

C/2 

'So 
c 

o 
o 

c 

u 

,c 

<L) 

(LI 

H 

6 

z 

(L 

O 

% 

2 

t-H 

1 

Q 
Z 

t/ 

(1> 

o  :^    1 

o 

tS 

CD 

1 

o 

-a    c  ^ 

o 

J 

o 

+j 

C/3 

a 

in 

^ 

aj 

o 

6     o     03 

ZHO 

Q^ 

I-. 

P^ 

>^l 

o 

m 

1    1 

\ 

l-H 

2 

dJ 

S 

>> .. 

+-> 

U3 

■S-iS 

QJ 

g 
^ 

C 
l-H 

11 

0) 

be 

(-* 

J 

Ij 

r° 

c 

TD 

>,ai 

C 
O 

^1 

^^ 

u 

|| 

II 

bC 

G 

o 

It 

«^ 

U 
1 

u>o 

1 

2; 

te 

M 

1 

a 

C 

>^ 

w 

'a 

'5 

u 

^  OS 

J 

S 

TO  r  :; 

sW 

o 

Pi 

CJ 

< 

o 

tn 

^ 

HH 

>^ 

C 

ffi 

cA 

1-J 

.2 

o 

tD 

s 

a 

3 

^ 

< 

O 

o 

_e 

fo 

O 

^ 

■r) 

u5 

V-t 

fc 

O 

c 

> 

.o 

o 

C/2 

M 

'3 

p^ 

c 

W 

> 

o 

2 

< 

b 

^ 

-i-> 

[> 

'c3 

3 

G 

a 

•c 

Z 

c 

0      CO 

s 

o 

Ph 

G 

'T3 

< 

13 

a 
'55 

m 

G 
.2 

<2 

0. 

PL, 

0^ 

pq 

1 

1 

P^ 

1 

"    cfi    —    0)    OJ    Oj 

—  >  0  c  a~A 

•S-  oj  0)  O  oj  0)  *i 


Ph 


11 


CARE  AND  TREATMENT  OF  THE  JEWISH  BLIND 


E 


CO 

w 

w 
p^ 

Q 
Q 

< 


CO 

Pi 


C/3 


Pi 


u 


m 


u 


J  ,J 


tn 


?=    Ph 


m 


« 


&       .-^ 


s 

o5  2  " 
^«  S  g 


« 


Q      H 


J 


o'a 

f,8-cw        , 

O        O  03  01 

—  ■O  S  OS 

^^    OD  O    fc*    rH  .^  — I 


p^ 


« 


12 


m 


>> 

^ 


Q 


METHOD   OF    INVESTIGATION 

In  order  to  obtain  the  information  necessary  for  the 
case  study  it  seemed  desirable  not  only  to  visit  the 
homes  of  the  blind  persons  under  consideration,  but  to 
study  as  well  case  histories  of  blind  persons  who  had 
applied  to  charitable  agencies  for  assistance.  Access 
was  had  to  the  case  records  of  the  New  York  Guild  for 
the  Jewish  Blind,  the  United  Hebrew  Charities  and  the 
allied  Sisterhoods — the  most  important  Jewish  agencies 
interested  in  this  handicapped  class.  These  records 
were  carefully  studied  and  analyzed  before  visits  were 
paid  to  the  persons  concerned.  It  was  encouraging  to 
note  later  in  the  course  of  the  visits  how  closely  the 
facts  obtained  in  the  interviews  tallied  with  those  in 
the  records  of  the  agencies.  It  is,  therefore,  safe  to 
conclude  that  the  information  obtained  regarding  those 
individuals  or  families  whose  histories  were  not  previ- 
ously recorded  is  equally  reliable. 

The  next  step  in  the  case  study  was  the  actual  visiting 
in  the  homes.  After  much  reflection  it  was  decided  to 
visit  every  blind  person  included  in  the  census  with  the 
exception  of  those  aged  blind  who  were  at  the  time 
inmates  of  institutions.  Although  532  visits  were  paid, 
only  339  individuals  were  interviewed,  303  visits  yielding 
no  definite  results.*  It  is  gratifying  to  state  that  of  the 
342  persons  located  only  3  refused  interviews,  the 
remaining  339  being  only  too  eager  to  tell  their  stories 
to  a  sympathetic  listener.  An  effort  was  made  to  keep 
these  interviews  as  informal  as  possible,  the  conversations 
taking  the  nature  of  ''heart  to  heart"  talks. 


*  The  following  is  an  analysis  of  the  303  visits  from  which  no  interviews 
were  obtained: 

Number  of  persons  moved  to  unknown  addresses 87 

Number  of  persons  out  at  time  of  visit 73 

Number  of  persons  not  living  at  address  visited  (these  were  later 

traced  elsewhere) 63 

Number  of  persons  left  New  York 8 

Number  of  persons  dead 24 

Number  of  persons  not  Jewish 16 

Number  of  persons  refused  interviews 3 

Number  of  persons  whose  defective  eyesight  did  not  interfere  with 

normal  life 17 

Other  reasons 12 

Total 303 

13 


CARE  AND  TREATMENT  OF  THE  JEWISH  BLIND 

The  final  stage  in  the  survey  was  the  study  of  the  work 
of  the  institutions  and  agencies  previously  listed.  While 
information  was  obtained  regarding  all  these  organi- 
zations, special  attention  was  centered  on  the  work 
which  is  being  done  by  the  New  York  Association  for 
the  Blind,  the  New  York  Guild  for  the  Jewish  Blind, 
the  Hebrew  Association  for  the  Blind,  and  the  United 
Hebrew  Charities  and  allied  Sisterhoods. 

Much  of  the  material  for  this  part  of  the  survey  had 
already  been  gathered  during  the  course  of  the  investi- 
gation through  the  analysis  of  the  case  records  previously 
alluded  to  and  through  the  visits  paid  to  the  blind  in 
their  homes,  when  the  reaction  of  the  agencies  on  the 
clients  had  been  studied  at  first  hand.  The  material 
thus  obtained  was  later  supplemented  by  information 
secured  through  long  and  intimate  conversations  held 
with  the  heads  of  the  most  important  organizations 
studied.  In  these  interviews  not  only  was  the  direct 
machinery  and  administration  of  the  various  organiza- 
tions explained  at  length,  but  in  addition  general  prin- 
ciples and  policies  were  outlined  in  detail,  so  that  it 
was  possible  to  obtain  a  broad  conception  of  the  work 
being  done  by  these  agencies. 

In  the  investigation  itself,  and  in  the  resultant  pro- 
gram, no  attempt  has  been  made  to  study  the  problems 
of  prevention  of  blindness  and  of  the  medical  care 
of  the  blind.  Nor  has  the  general  problem  of  education 
of  the  blind  been  included  in  this  investigation.  These 
problems,  while  vital  and  significant,  can  not  and  should 
not  be  regarded  as  special  Jewish  problems.  Not  until 
the  community  as  a  whole,  working  for  the  improvement 
of  all  the  blind  in  New  York,  is  aroused  to  the  general 
necessities  of  the  situation,  can  it  be  hoped  that  problems 
of  such  a  nature  can  be  constructively  treated. 

The  object  of  this  survey  has  been  rather  to  stress 
those  phases  of  the  situation  which  are  largely  dependent 
on  the  Jewish  community  for  their  solution,  the  effort 
being  made  to  offer  broad,  concrete,  practical  suggestions 
and  recommendations,  whereby  work  for  the  Jewish 
blind  in  New  York  City  can  be  made  more  compre- 
hensive and  effective. 

14 


II.     GENERAL    DESCRIPTION    OF    292    BLIND 
S  ADULTS 


CARE   AND   TREATMENT   OF   THE   JEWISH    BLIND 


II.     GENERAL    DESCRIPTION     OF    292     BLIND 

ADULTS 

In  a  general  description  of  any  group  of  persons  the 
first  facts  to  be  considered  are  those  of  age  and  sex. 
Although  our  interest  in  the  blind  applies  to  the  young 
as  well  as  to  the  old,  in  the  present  section  our  attention 
will  be  confined  solely  to  the  adult  blind,  not  because 
the  condition  of  blindness  is  more  tragic  in  adult  life 
than  in  youth,  but  because  the  problems  which  must  be 
faced  at  these  two  age  periods  are  different  and  must 
consequently  be  considered  separately. 

Of  the  330  blind  individuals  visited  during  the 
course  of  this  investigation  it  was  found  that  292  were 
adults — 191  males  and  101  females. 

The  accompanying  table  gives  age  by  group  and 
sex  of  these  292  blind  persons. 

Age  by  Group  and  Sex 

Nttmber  Percent 

Aee  ~ 
Males  Females    Males  Females 

16-45 83            56  43.3  55.5 

45-60 61             19  31.9  18.9 

60  and  over 47            25  24.8  24.7 

Not  stated 1  .9 

Total 191  101       100.0       100.0 


It  will  be  seen  that  we  have  here  divided  the  blind 
into  three  age  groups:  16-45  years — the  period  which 
may  be  regarded  as  the  prime  of  life;  45-60  years — the 
later  period  of  working  age;  and  60  years  and  over — 
the  period  of  old  age. 

From  a  study  of  the  table  it  is  perhaps  surprising  to 
learn  that  of  the  191  men  under  consideration  83,  or 
about  43  percent,  are  still  in  the  prime  of  life,  while  of 

16 


GENERAL   DESCRIPTION   OF   292    BLIND   ADULTS 

the  101  blind  women  considered,  63  or  about  55  percent, 
are  in  this  same  period.  Under  normal  circumstances 
it  is  obvious  that  most  of  the  men  and  many  of  the 
women  in  this  first  age  group  would  be  expected  to 
contribute  largely  to  the  family  support,  although  under 
existing  circumstances  the  majority  of  them  find  it 
impossible  to  earn  a  living  wage. 

A  further  examination  of  the  table  reveals  the  fact 
that  of  the  191  blind  men  under  consideration,  64  men, 
or  about  33  percent  of  the  number,  fall  within  the  second 
age  group — 45  to  60  years — while  19  women,  or  about 
18  percent  of  the  number,  are  included  within  this  same 
class.  Is  it  not  obvious  that  many  of  the  men  in 
this  second  group  would  under  normal  conditions  also 
be  able  to  maintain  their  economic  independence,  although 
under  existing  circumstances  most  of  them  earn  little 
or  nothing? 

It  will  be  seen  that  in  the  third  age  group — 60 
years  and  over- — about  23  percent  of  the  men — 44  in  all 
— and  about  24  percent  of  the  women — 25  in  all — are 
included.  In  this  group  it  may  be  taken  for  granted 
however,  that  there  are  few  wage-earners — actual  or 
potential — and  it  may  well  be  felt  that  old  age  rather 
than  blindness  is  responsible  for  this  situation. 

The  full  significance  of  the  economic  tragedy  of 
blindness  can  only  be  grasped,  however,  when  facts 
relating  to  the  conjugal  condition  of  the  group  are 
definitely  known.  This  information  may  be  obtained 
by  a  study  of  the  accompanying  table. 

Conjugal  Condition  by  Sex 

Number  Percent 

Conjugal  Condition 

Married 

Single 

Widowed 

Divorced  or  Separated 

Deserted 

Not  Stated 

Total 190  91       100.0       100.0 

17 


Males 

Females  Males  Females 

118 

24 

62.2        26.3 

51 

34 

26.9        37.4 

12 

26 

6.3         28.5 

7 

3 

3.6          3.3 

1 

4 

.5          4.5 

1 

.5 

CARE  AND  TREATMENT  OF  THE  JEWISH  BLIND 

As  only  those  18  years  of  age  and  over  are  included 
in  this  table,  the  total  number  here  considered  is  but  281. 
It  is  at  once  seen  that  about  62  percent  of  the  men — 
118  in  all — and  about  27  percent  of  the  women — 24  in 
all — are  married.  It  is  difficult  perhaps  at  first  glance 
to  account  for  the  discrepancy  between  the  two  groups, 
but  noticing  the  figures  in  the  widowed  group,  where 
but  6  percent  of  the  men  and  over  28  percent  of  the 
women  are  included,  the  reason  for  this  marked  differ- 
ence between  the  number  of  married  men  and  married 
women  immediately  becomes  clear.  Realizing  the  fact 
that  widowhood  is  always  more  frequent  among  women 
than  among  men,  it  is  evident  that  in  order  to  get  a  true 
picture  of  family  conditions,  we  must  compare  not  the 
number  of  married  men  to  the  number  of  married  women, 
nor  the  number  of  widowed  men  to  the  number  of  wid- 
owed women,  but  the  number  of  men  in  both  these  classes 
to  the  number  of  women  in  both  these  classes.  Making 
the  necessary  addition,  therefore,  it  is  seen  that  130  men — 
over  68  percent  of  the  total  number — and  50  women — over 
54  percent  of  the  total  number — are  included  in  these 
two  groups — percentages  which  do  not  vary  so  greatly. 

To  these  may  be  added  the  7  men  and  3  women  who 
are  either  divorced  or  separated,  and  the  1  man  and 
4  women  who  are  deserted. 

A  study  of  this  table  has  thus  revealed  that  over 
73  percent  of  the  men  and  over  62  percent  of  the  women 
are  included  in  the  married,  widowed,  deserted,  and 
divorced  groups.  Is  it  not,  therefore,  safe  to  assume 
that  at  least  in  a  majority  of  these  cases,  blindness  is  a 
family  misfortune  as  well  as  a  personal  tragedy? 

In  the  130  families  where  the  father — the  natural 
wage-earner — is  blind,  the  economic  problem  is  grave 
indeed — all  the  more  grave  when  it  is  realized  that  in 
most  of  these  families  the  children  are  still  too  young  to 
contribute  to  the  family  income.  In  the  57  families  in 
which  blindness  has  overtaken  the  mother,  the  situation 
though  different  is  hardly  less  grave.  A  blind  house- 
wife often  finds  it  impossible  to  practice  economy,  while 
her  children  are  too  frequently  deprived  of  that  care 
which  the  sighted  mother  is  able  to  give. 

18 


Males  Females 

33 

27 

60 

94 

36 

130 

43 

22 

65 

12 

7 

19 

7 

2 

9 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

4 

5 

GENERAL    DESCRIPTION   OF   292    BLIND   ADULTS 

The  nativity  of  this  group  may  next  be  considered. 

Nativity  by  Sex 

Sex 

Nativity- 


United  States 

Russia  and  Poland 

Austria-Hungary 

Germany 

Roumania 

Holland 

Portugal 

Servia 

Great  Britain 

Not  stated 

Total 191  101  292 


An  examination  of  this  table  reveals  the  fact  that 
of  the  190  men  whose  place  of  birth  was  obtainable, 
33 — less  than  22  percent — were  native  born,  and  157 — 
over  88  percent — foreign  born;  while  of  the  97  women 
whose  place  of  birth  was  obtainable,  27 — less  than  28 
percent — were  born  in  this  country  and  70 — over  72 
percent — were  born  in  foreign  lands. 

Of  the  total  number  of  foreign  born,  94  men  and  36 
women  were  born  in  Russia;  43  men  and  22  women,  in 
Austria-Hungary;  12  men  and  7  women  in  Germany; 
1  man  in  Holland,  and  the  remaining  3  women  respec- 
tively in  Portugal,  Servia,  and  Great  Britain. 

The  specific  land  of  birth  is,  of  course,  of  little  im- 
portance. Significant,  however,  is  the  information  re- 
garding the  number  of  foreign  born  brought  out  by  this 
table,  revealing  the  existence  of  another  factor  which 
complicates  an  already  dif^cult  situation.  Handicapped 
as  is  this  group  by  reason  of  blindness,  this  condition 
of  foreign  birth  is  obviously  often  a  further  handicap, 
frequently  making  it  impossible  for  these  men  and  women 
to  take  full  advantage  of  the  social  and  economic  oppor- 
tunities offered  in  this  country. 

19 


CARE  AND  TREATMENT  OF  THE  JEWISH  BLIND 

It  may  be  somewhat  surprising  to  learn  that  of  the 
217  foreign  born  men  and  women  21  years  of  age  and 
over,  99  had  attained  full  citizenship,  34  had  either  first 
or  second  papers,  while  only  64 — about  one-third  of  the 
total  number — had  never  applied  for  citizenship  in  this 
country,* 

This  large  proportion  of  citizens  and  prospective 
citizens  is,  however,  most  misleading,  unless  the  fact  be 
kept  in  mind  that  many  blind  persons  in  New  York 
acquire  citizenship  for  the  sole  purpose  of  becoming 
thereby  eligible  for  the  city  pension  for  the  blind  or  for  a 
peddler's  license — privileges  to  which  non-citizens  are 
not  entitled.  Remembering  this  situation,  it  can  hardly 
be  inferred  from  the  figures  presented  that  over  two- 
thirds  of  our  foreign  group  are  "real  Americans" — that 
is,  men  and  women  fully  adapted  to  an  environment 
which  they  no  longer  regard  as  strange  or  foreign. 

Much  more  interesting  than  the  statistics  just  pre- 
sented are  statistics  relating  to  the  physical  and  mental 
condition  of  the  group  here  considered. 

Of  the  292  persons  in  this  group  it  was  found  that 
143 — almost  half — were  totally  blind,  while  149  suffered 
either  from  defective  vision  or  partial  loss  of  eye-sight. 
In  this  latter  group  are  included  a  number  of  "borderline 
cases,"  though  in  each  instance  the  attempt  was  made 
to  apply  literally  the  definition  of  "blind"  previously 
given. 

More  difficult  was  the  task  of  defining  the  term  "sick" 
with  regard  to  the  group  under  consideration.  While 
no  attempt  was  made  to  apply  this  term  scientifically 
by^  securing  exact  medical  diagnoses  from  experts,  yet 
it  is  believed  that  by  questioning  the  blind  individuals 
themselves  as  well  as  by  studying  the  case  records  of 
the  majority  of  those  under  care  of  relief  agencies,  it 
was  possible  to  obtain  the  information  desired  regarding 
the  general  physical  condition  of  these  men  and  women. 

A  study  of  the  physical  and  mental  condition  of  the 
group  revealed  the  fact  that,  in  a  large  proportion  of 
cases,    physical   disabilities   other   than    blindness    must 

*  In  the  case  of  married  women  the  status  of  the  husband  as  regards  citizen- 
ship was  taken  to  include  that  of  the  wife. 

20 


GENERAL   DESCRIPTION   OF   292   BLIND   ADULTS 

be  added  to  the  various  handicaps  already  discussed. 
In  a  few  cases  it  was  found  that  mental  disabilities  too 
must  be  included  in  this  list. 

In  the  case  of  those  men  and  women  60  years  of  age 
or  over,  it  may  well  be  maintained  that  statistics  relating 
to  physical  condition  can  hardly  be  illuminating,  most 
older  men  and  women  of  all  social  classes  suffering  more 
or  less  from  physical  disabilities.  It  is,  therefore,  not 
surprising  to  learn  that  of  the  44  men  in  this  age  group, 
20 — or  about  45  percent — are  in  poor  health,  while  of 
the  25  women  under  consideration,  15 — or  about  60 
percent — are  suffering  from  various  physical  causes. 

The  list  of  ailments  of  which  these  older  people 
complain  is  quite  a  long  one.  Fourteen  men  and  9 
women  suffer  from  general  weakness  or  senility;  3  of 
each  sex  are  the  victims  of  rheumatism;  2  of  each  sex 
are  in  a  serious  nervous  condition;  2  of  each  sex  com- 
plain of  heart  trouble,  of  gall  stones,  and  of  tuberculosis; 
while  5  men  suffer  from  asthma  or  bronchial  trouble. 

Examining  next  the  physical  condition  of  the  men 
and  women  in  the  younger  age  groups — those  from 
16  to  45  years  and  from  45  to  60  years — it  is  surprising 
to  learn  that  sickness  and  ill  health  are  no  less  prevalent 
in  these  groups  than  in  the  older  group  previously  dis- 
cussed. Of  the  147  men  in  the  younger  age  periods, 
71 — or  about  50  percent — appear  to  be  in  poor  health, 
while  of  the  76  younger  women,  43 — or  about  56  percent 
— are  apparently  ailing. 

Is  there,  then,  any  relation  between  blindness  and 
ill  health?  Are  the  two  conditions  often  concomitant? 
If  the  figures  just  presented  indicate  the  truth,  an 
emphatic  "yes"  must  be  answered  to  these  questions. 

Admitting  that  blind  persons  are  often  the  victims  of 
heredity,  it  is  fairly  safe  to  assume  that  this  same 
hereditary  taint  can  often  be  held  responsible  for  other 
physical  weaknesses  as  well.  But  it  is  not  necessary  to 
place  on  heredity  alone  the  full  burden  of  responsibility 
for  poor  physical  condition.  Other  factors  in  this  situa- 
tion may  be  discovered  if  an  examination  be  made  of  the 
lives  which  the  blind  are  but  too  frequently  compelled 
to  lead.     Often  forced,   because  of  their  limitations,   to 

21 


CARE   AND   TREATMENT   OF   THE   JEWISH    BLIND 

work  for  little  or  nothing,  their  standards  of  living  are 
necessarily  low,  so  that  in  many  cases  poor  food  and 
lack  of  air  lower  vitality  and  predispose  to  ill  health  and 
disease.  Many  blind  persons,  too,  must  necessarily 
lead  shut-in  lives,  unrelieved  by  exercise  or  amusement 
of  any  kind.  Sitting  at  home  all  day  idle  and  neglected, 
brooding  over  their  condition,  is  it  surprising  to  learn 
that  they  are  often  the  victims  of  nervous  as  well  as  of 
organic  disorders? 

Taking  these  facts  into  consideration,  it  is  not  sur- 
prising to  note  that  25  men  and  16  women  complain  of 
extreme  nervous  condition;*  14  men  and  4  women 
suffer  from  rheumatism;  7  men  and  10  women,  from 
anemia  or  a  general  condition  of  weakness;  5  men 
and  2  women,  from  venereal  disease;  3  men  and  3  women, 
from  heart  trouble;  several  of  both  sexes,  from  asthma, 
tuberculosis,  stomach  trouble,  hernia,  affection  of  the 
kidneys,  cancer,  mastoid,  liver  complaint,  gall  stones, 
goitre,  and  diabetes.  A  formidable  list  of  ailments  in- 
deed— all  the  more  formidable  when  are  added  7  men 
and  4  women  who  are  deaf  and  dumb,  and  4  men  and 
2  women  who  are  crippled. 

Passing  from  physical  to  mental  disabilities,  an 
examination  indicates  that  6  men  and  4  women  are 
mentally  subnormal,  the  mental  condition  in  a  few  cases 
amounting  to  idiocy. 

Facts  regarding  the  education  of  the  group  may  next 
be  considered.  Although  it  was  not  deemed  necessary 
to  apply  a  literacy  test  to  those  visited,  information  on 
this  subject  w^as  secured  through  direct  questioning  of 
the  blind  themselves — information  which  was,  in  many 
cases,  supplemented  by  a  study  of  the  case  records  of 
blind  applicants  under  care  of  relief  agencies. 

Of  the  292  men  and  women  coming  within  the  scope 
of  this  survey,  it  was  learned  that  229  were  literate  and 
51  illiterate.  In  the  case  of  the  remaining  12  persons 
no    information     regarding    literacy    was    obtainable.! 


*  In  this  number  arc  included  various  cases  of  neurasthenia,  epilepsy,  and 
other  acute  nervous  disorders. 

t  Literate  as  here  applied  includes  all  those  able  to  read  or  write  in  their 
native  language,  regardless  of  the  extent  of  their  knowledge. 

22 


GENERAL   DESCRIPTION    OF   292    BLIND   ADULTS 

Although  it  is  gratifying  to  find  so  small  a  number  of 
"illiterates"  included  in  this  group,  it  must  be  realized 
at  the  same  time  that  many  of  those  nominally  literate 
are,  nevertheless,  very  ignorant,  their  only  claim  to  this 
title  being  based  on  their  ability  to  read  or  write  a 
limited  number  of  words.  The  number  of  men  and 
women  in  this  group  without  actual  schooling  is,  of 
course,  very  large,  a  fact  which  can  not  be  regarded  as 
surprising  when  it  is  remembered  that  many  of  these 
men  and  women  became  blind  before  reaching  school 
age,  thus  encountering  another  obstacle  in  the  way  of 
securing  an  education. 

Of  the  229  classed  as  literate,  185  were  able  before 
blindness  to  read  or  write  in  the  English  language,  61 
of  these  having  after  blindness  acquired  the  ability  to 
read  embossed  print. 

Of  those  who  acquired  a  formal  education  after  blind- 
ness 41  attended  special  schools  or  classes  for  the  blind — 
31,  the  New  York  Institute  for  the  Blind,  and  10,  the 
classes  for  the  blind  in  the  New  York  Public  Schools.  It 
may  be  interesting  to  note  that  in  spite  of  their  handi- 
cap, 5  of  the  men  and  women  here  considered  succeeded 
in  finishing  a  college  course,  revealing  that  in  their  cases 
at  least,  the  desire  for  an  education  overcame  all  possible 
obstacles. 

Uninteresting  as  statistics  often  are,  yet  they  usually 
serve  a  real  purpose,  and  it  is  to  be  hoped  that  the  facts 
here  presented  have  made  it  possible  to  form  a  mental 
picture  of  this  group,  throwing  definite  light  on  the 
nature  of  the  problems  which  they  are  compelled  to  meet. 

Handicapped  by  blindness,  suffering  from  ill  health, 
over-burdened  with  family  responsibilities,  limited  by 
reason  of  foreign  birth  and  meagre  education,  the  majority 
of  these  men  and  women  find  themselves  beset  by  diffi- 
culties on  all  sides — difficulties  which,  indeed,  they  can 
never  hope  to  surmount  unless  the  community,  mindful 
of  its  responsibility,  makes  every  effort  to  give  them  the 
necessary  care  and  assistance. 


23 


III.     PROBLEMS   OF   RELIEF 


CARE   AND   TREATMENT   OF   THE   JEWISH    BLIND 


III.     PROBLEMS   OF   RELIEF 

In  a  consideration  of  the  many  problems  which  must 
be  met  by  the  community  in  its  effort  to  make  adequate 
provisions  for  the  care  and  treatment  of  its  bHnd 
members,  the  problem  of  relief  at  once  suggests  itself  as 
a  vital  one — one  which,  because  of  the  many  difficulties 
involved,  deserves  our  most  careful  consideration. 

That  a  majority  of  the  group  of  persons  under  present 
consideration  are  in  need  of  material  assistance  is  of 
course  obvious,  for  recalling  the  fact  that  a  large  number 
of  these  are  heads  of  families  in  the  prime  of  life — men 
who  are  the  natural  bread-winners  of  the  family  but 
who,  on  account  of  their  affliction,  can  no  longer  assume 
unassisted  the  burden  of  family  support — their  need  for 
charitable  aid  at  once  becomes  apparent.  Equally 
apparent,  too,  must  be  the  need  for  relief  of  the  majority 
of  the  aged  men  and  women  in  this  group — men  and 
women  who,  handicapped  both  by  blindness  and  old 
age,  have  for  the  most  part  outlived  their  industrial 
usefulness. 

It  must  not  be  assumed,  however,  that  blindness  and 
old  age  alone  are  responsible  for  the  dependency  revealed. 
Not  only  does  sickness,  as  has  already  been  stated,  often 
go  hand  and  hand  with  blindness,  therefore  complicating 
the  problem  of  dependency,  but  a  careful  analysis  of  the 
situation  revealed  the  existence  of  other  factors  which 
in  many  cases  contributed  to  the  need  for  charitable 
assistance — factors  which  are  well  recognized  by  relief 
workers  as  frequent  causes  of  dependency.  That  widow- 
hood, desertion,  large  size  of  family,  shiftlessness  and 
other  defects  of  character  are  often  contributing  causes 
of  dependency  in  the  case  of  blind  applicants  for  relief, 
as  well  as  in  the  case  of  sighted  applicants,  is  a  fact 
which  can  hardly  be  regarded  as  astonishing.  Recog- 
nizing, therefore,  the  multitude  of  problems  involved  in 
the  care  of  the  dependent  blind,  the  dangers  and  diffi- 

26 


PROBLEMS   OF    RELIEF 

culties  entailed  in  the  administration  of  charitable  aid 
in  this  field  must  at  once  become  apparent — dangers  and 
difficulties  which  can  only  be  safely  met  by  the  appli- 
cation of  scientific  principles  of  relief. 

Before  entering,  however,  into  a  discussion  of  these 
principles,  it  may  be  well  first  to  enquire  what  agencies 
in  the  community  undertake  to  make  material  provision 
for  the  needy  and  dependent  blind. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  most  important  of  these: 

The  United  Hebrew  Charities — our  large  general  relief 
agency  which,  in  carrying  out  its  general  object — "to  relieve 
distress  among  the  Jewish  poor  and  to  prevent  pauperism" — 
grants  relief  to  needy  blind  persons  on  the  same  basis  as  to 
other  dependent  persons  in  the  Jewish  community. 

Various  Sisterhoods  which  are  allied  with  the  United 
Hebrew  Charities. 

Department  o§  Public  Charities  which  administers  to  "poor 
adult  blind  citizens  of  good  character  who  have  lived  in  New 
York  City  continuously  for  two  years  preceding  application 
for  aid,  and  who  are  not  inmates  of  any  city  institution,  a  share 
of  the  special  appropriation  made  for  their  support."  (This 
amount  averages  about  $50  a  year  for  each  person.) 

The  New  York  Guild  for  the  Jeivish  Blind  which  names 
among  its  objects  "the  care  of  the  individual  blind  in  their 
homes." 

The  New  York  Association  for  the  Blind  which,  in  connection 
with  its  other  activities,  maintains  a  relief  bureau  "to  succor 
and  relieve  the  ill,  aged,  and  needy  blind." 

The  Hebrew  Association  for  the  Blind  which  in  carrying 
out  one  of  its  two  purposes — "the  improvement  of  the  con- 
dition of  the  Jewish  blind" — grants  relief  through  a  special 
committee  appointed  for  this  purpose. 

And,  "that  invisible  relief  fund"  privately  dispensed 
by  charitable  men  and  women  must  also  not  be  for- 
gotten, a  fund  which  though  undoubtedly  decreasing, 
yet  in  the  total  reaches  no  inconsiderable  sum.  Although 
the  blind  from  the  unusual  tragedy  of  their  affliction 
make  an  especial  appeal  to  private  charitably  inclined 
individuals,  nevertheless,  as  we  have  just  intimated, 
the  sums  personally  dispensed  in  answer  to  this  appeal, 
are  in  latter  years  steadily  diminishing.  A  more  thought- 
ful and  better  informed  public  is  fast  beginning  to  realize 
the  many  difficulties  and  dangers  involved  in  relief  giving 
and,    therefore,    suppressing    its    charitable    impulse    to 

27 


CARE   AND   TREATMENT   OF   THE   JEWISH    BLIND 

grant  private  assistance,  is  more  and  more  inclined  to 
refer  such  cases  to  organized  relief  agencies  for  the 
necessary  aid.  The  responsibility  thus  imposed  on 
organized  agencies  cannot  be  lightly  escaped,  a  responsi- 
bility which  grows  greater  from  year  to  year. 

How  are  these  agencies  for  the  relief  of  the  blind 
equipped  to  meet  this  large  undertaking?  Do  they 
recognize  to  the  fullest  extent  the  complex  nature  of  the 
problems  involved  in  their  difficult  task?  Do  they,  in 
the  administration  of  relief,  carefully  observe  those 
scientific  principles  which  have  been  definitely  laid  down 
as  a  guide  for  those  working  in  this  field?  With  the 
view  of  obtaining  a  satisfactory  answer  to  these  questions 
an  intensive  study  of  all  the  agencies  previously  listed 
was  undertaken. 

The  very  existence  of  so  many  agencies  in  this  partic- 
ular field  at  once  suggests  certain  difficulties.  The  extent 
of  these  difficulties,  however,  was  only  disclosed  when 
the  fundamental  difference  in  policies  and  methods 
followed  by  these  various  agencies  was  discovered. 

It  must  be  clearly  stated  at  the  outset  that  although 
all  of  the  organizations  studied  are  imbued  with  a  spirit 
of  generous  sympathy,  a  keen  desire  to  contribute  in  the 
most  helpful  manner  to  the  welfare  and  happiness  of 
their  blind  dependents,  yet  a  careful  analysis  of  their 
work  leads  to  the  definite  conclusion  that  the  United 
Hebrew  Charities  alone  has  adopted  an  enlightened  relief 
policy — a  policy  which  is  calculated  to  protect  applicants 
themselves,  as  well  as  the  contributing  public,  from  the 
dangers  of  granting  indiscriminate  or  inadequate  relief. 

A  pioneer  in  the  field;  entrusted  by  the  Jewish  com- 
munity for  many  years  with  the  great  task  of  admin- 
istering relief  to  its  needy  members;  provided  with  more 
or  less  ample  funds  for  carrying  out  its  general  function; — 
it  is  but  natural  that  during  the  long  years  it  has  devoted 
to  this  service,  this  organization  should  have  come  to  a 
realization  of  the  difficulties  and  dangers  involved  in 
its  chosen  task,  therefore  developing  the  technique  and 
machinery  necessary  for  meeting  the  requirements  of 
the  situation.  That  the  United  Hebrew  Charities  has 
often  fallen  short  of  its  own  standards,  is  a  fact  which 

28 


PROBLEMS   OF   RELIEF 

this  organization  would  be  the  first  to  recognize,  but 
its  very  recognition  of  the  situation  is  in  itself  encour- 
aging, leading  to  the  definite  hope  that  it  will  gradually 
overcome  practical  difhculties,  constantly  raising  its 
own  standards. 

Unlike  the  United  Hebrew  Charities,  the  various 
Sisterhoods  allied  with  this  organization  have  not  been 
fully  awakened  to  the  situation.  Unconscious  of  many 
of  the  delicate  problems  involved  in  the  administration 
of  relief,  these  agencies  often  fail  to  observe  fully  certain 
essentials  of  a  sound  relief  policy. 

The  failure  of  the  specialized  agencies  for  the  blind — 
the  New  York  Association  for  the  Blind,  the  New  York 
Guild  for  the  Jewish  Blind,  the  Hebrew  Association  for 
the  Blind — to  administer  relief  in  full  accordance  with 
scientific  principles  has  also  been  indicated.  The  reasons 
for  the  weaknesses  of  these  organizations  can  perhaps 
be  better  understood  when  the  nature  of  their  growth 
and  development  are  recalled  to  mind.  Originally 
established  for  the  general  purpose  of  improving  the 
condition  of  the  blind,  these  organizations  did  not  at 
first  emphasize  the  granting  of  material  aid,  but  on  the 
contrary,  directed  their  interest  largely  to  needs  of  an- 
other nature.  The  assumption  of  the  function  of  relief 
giving  on  a  large  scale  has  been  more  or  less  gradual, 
a  process  of  development  which  is  still  taking  place. 
Unfortunately,  however,  this  development  has  not  always 
been  accompanied  by  a  corresponding  development  in 
organization  and  technique,  a  failure  which  may  be 
held  directly  responsible  for  many  of  the  defects  dis- 
covered. 

What  are  these  scientific  principles  of  relief  to  which 
we  have  so  often  alluded?  What  are  the  dangers  involved 
in  the  neglect  carefully  to  observe  these  fundamental 
policies? 

Fortunately  we  need  not  seek  far  to  discover  a  simple 
declaration  of  elementary  relief  principles  which,  it  is  hoped, 
will  serve  our  present  purpose.  In  Edward  T.  Devinc's 
"Principles  of  Relief"  we  find  the  four  following  conditions 
quoted  as  essentials  of  a  sound  relief  policy:* 

*  Page  24. 

29 


CARE   AND   TREATMENT   OF   THE   JEWISH    BLIND 

1.  Discrimination  based  upon  full  knowledge. 

2.  Disciplinary  treatment  of  those  who  are  criminally 
responsible  for  dependence. 

3.  Relief  with  intelligent  oversight  for  those  who  can  not 
maintain  a  normal  standard  of  living. 

4.  The  refusal  of  all  charitable  support  to  those  who  can. 

These  same  principles  have  been  emphasized  by  many 
other  recognized  authorities  in  the  field  and  are  now 
generally  accepted  by  all  efhcient  relief  organizations. 
The  necessity  for  the  observance  of  these  principles  must 
be  so  striking  as  to  cause  surprise  at  their  frequent 
neglect  by  many  of  the  organizations  coming  within  the 
scope  of  this  survey.  Nevertheless  it  is  a  fact  that  in 
spite  of  the  excellent  constructive  and  rehabilitative 
quality  of  some  of  their  work,  these  organizations  do 
not  generally  appreciate  the  dangers  involved  in  the 
administration  of  indiscriminate  or  inadequate  relief. 

Although  it  must  be  admitted  that  a  treatise  on 
relief  does  not  properly  fall  within  the  scope  of  this  study, 
nevertheless  it  is  necessary  to  dwell  at  some  length  on  this 
subject.  The  dangers  involved  in  the  neglect  to  observe  the 
essentials  of  a  sound  relief  policy  will  perhaps  be  emphasiz- 
ed by  the  presentation  of  a  number  of  case  histories, 
taken  from  the  records  of  the  agencies  under  discussion. 

Two  cases  will  be  cited  to  illustrate  the  dangers  in- 
volved in  ignoring  the  first  principle  just  quoted:  "Dis- 
crimination based  upon  full  knowledge." 

The  first  case  brings  out  strongly  suffering  which  may 
be  traced  directly  to  the  failure  to  obtain  that  full  knowl- 
edge requisite  to  the  exercise  of  discrimination. 

Herman  X. — The  father  of  several  young  children  not  yet 
of  working  age,  is  half  blind  and  bed-ridden,  the  family  being 
as  a  consequence  largely  dependent  on  charitable  assistance. 
The  X's  have  for  some  time  been  known  to  three  charitable 
agencies,  all  of  whom,  after  a  superficial  investigation,  readily 
agreed  to  give  the  family  material  assistance,  one  by  regularly 
granting  the  necessary  amount  for  rent,  the  other  two  by 
occasionally  sending  in  groceries,  coal,  and  clothing.  Recently 
in  the  course  of  a  conversation  held  by  the  visitor  of  one  of  these 
agencies  with  Mr.  X's  physician,  certain  conditions  were 
disclosed  which  had  not  been  previously  discovered  because 
of  the  superficial  nature  of  the  original  enquiry.  Calling 
attention  to  the  nature  of  Mr.  X's  ailment,  the  physician  de- 

30 


PROBLEMS   OF   RELIEF 

Glared  that  the  sick  man  should  have  been  forced  to  enter  a 
hospital  in  order  to  protect  not  only  his  own  health,  but  the 
health  of  the  other  members  of  the  family  who  were,  under  exist- 
ing conditions,  compelled  to  live  in  close  contact  with  him. 

The  physician's  suggestion  to  try  to  persuade  the  sick 
man  to  enter  a  hospital  was  at  once  accepted  by  the  agency 
in  direct  charge  of  the  case,  but  when  this  plan  was  later 
proposed  to  the  invalid  himself,  both  he  and  his  wife  refused 
to  consider  it  for  a  moment.  Determined  to  bring  the  family 
to  terms,  the  agency  threatened  to  discontinue  its  allowance 
if  Mr.  and  Mrs.  X.  still  persisted  in  their  refusal.  Here  the 
case  rests  for  the  present,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  X.  asserting  that  they 
will  never  consent  to  a  separation,  the  agency  declaring  that 
it  will  carry  out  its  threat  should  Mr.  X.  not  decide  in  the 
near  future  to  accept  hospital  care. 

Would  it  perhaps  have  been  possible  to  have  averted 
the  present  tragic  development  if  full  information  had 
been  originally  obtained  regarding  Mr.  X's  condition? 
No  one  can  now  say  whether  or  not  Mr.  X  would  have 
consented  at  the  time  of  application  to  enter  a  hospital, 
but  is  it  not  more  than  likely  that  if  the  promise  to 
grant  aid  had  been  conditioned  on  his  taking  this  step, 
both  he  and  his  wife  would  have  been  willing  to  listen 
to  reason?  As  it  is,  they  sincerely  feel  that  the 
present  plan  is  an  arbitrary  one  and  therefore  persist 
in  their  refusal  to  carry  it  out,  hoping  that  in  spite  of 
their  refusal  to  co-operate,  the  agency  will  in  the  end  be 
forced  to  continue  relief. 

The  next  case  illustrates  dangers  of  a  different  nature, 
dangers  involved  in  the  granting  of  excessive  relief 
because  of  the  failure  to  make  a  full  and  detailed  in- 
vestigation. 

Samuel  G. — A  family  long  in  receipt  of  charitable  assistance 
consists  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  G.  and  their  two  young  children. 
Seven  years  ago  Mr.  G.,  then  a  young  man  in  his  early  thir- 
ties, was  forced  to  discontinue  work  on  account  of  ill  health 
as  well  as  because  of  defective  eyesight,  a  medical  examination 
having  revealed  at  the  time  signs  of  incipient  tuberculosis. 
Under  these  circumstances  Mr.  G.  asked  a  relief  agency  for 
full  support  for  himself  and  family — a  request  which  was 
granted  after  a  very  incomplete  investigation  had  been  made. 

For  about  a  year  the  record  of  the  case  reads  smoothly, 
revealing  the  fact  that  the  family  were  regularly  assisted, 
being  visited  from  time  to  time.  Quite  unexpectedly  however, 
an  unusual  item  appears,   for  suddenly   the  visitor  records 

31 


CARE   AND   TREATMENT   OF   THE   JEWISH    BLIND 

"Family  is  apparently  receiving  aid  from  other  sources. 
Will  call  at  once  to  learn  the  true  facts  in  the  case."  Appar- 
ently there  was  little  or  no  difhculty  in  obtaining  the  desired 
information,  for  it  was  soon  discovered  that  two  other  relief 
agencies  had  been  aiding  ever  since  Mr.  G's  first  illness,  one 
by  granting  $4  a  month  regularly,  the  other  by  giving  occa- 
sional aid,  while  two  other  agencies  subsequently  appealed 
to  were  sending  in  groceries  from  time  to  time. 

Meanwhile  the  history  reveals  that  Mr.  G's  health  had 
greatly  improved  so  that  several  months  ago  he  was  declared 
able  to  accept  light  work.  All  efforts  so  far  to  induce  him  to  do 
so  have,  however,  proved  unavailing.  Even  though  unwilling 
to  assist  in  any  way  in  the  family  support,  Mr.  G.  does  not 
hesitate  to  ask  constantly  for  an  increase  in  the  allowance, 
while  Mrs.  G.,  too,  refuses  to  carry  out  any  suggestions  made. 
One  of  the  last  entries  on  the  record  reads — "Family  seem 
to  be  thoroughly  pauperized." 

Small  wonder  indeed!  Had  the  various  agencies 
when  called  on  made  careful  enquiry  regarding  the 
character  of  this  family,  had  they  at  the  time  discovered 
definitely  the  amount  and  nature  of  the  assistance  each 
was  granting,  would  it  not  perhaps  have  been  possible 
to  have  provided  adequately  for  the  G's,  and  yet  to 
have  protected  them  from  the  danger  of  becoming 
permanently  dependent  on  charitable  support? 

It  is  to  be  hoped  that  the  histories  just  cited  have 
served  their  purpose.  Bearing  in  mind  the  facts  in  each 
case,  a  ready  answer  can  perhaps  be  given  all  those  who 
maintain  that  blind  applicants  for  relief  should  be 
granted  charitable  assistance  "without  being  subjected 
to  the  ordeal  of  an  investigation" — an  answer  also  to  those 
who  ask,  "Is  not  blindness  itself  prima  facie  evidence 
of  need?" 

Those  who  argue  in  this  manner  obviously  ignore  the 
full  purpose  of  an  investigation,  emphasizing  merely  its 
negative  side  and  disregarding  entirely  the  positive  results 
which  often  follow  such  an  enquiry.  How  can  it  be  hoped 
to  administer  relief  discreetly  without  having  first  obtained 
full  information  regarding  the  applicant  and  his  family — 
information  regarding  the  exact  earnings  of  all  the  wage- 
earners  in  the  family;  regarding  the  amount  of  assistance 
obtained  from  relatives  or  friends,  or  granted  by  various 
charitable  agencies;  regarding  the  health  of  the  various 

32 


PROBLEMS   OF   RELIEF 

members  of  the  family,  their  abiHty  to  work?  Is  the  bHnd 
appHcant  himself  able  to  do  work  of  any  kind?  Is  he  ill  as 
well  as  blind,  and  in  need  of  medical  treatment?  Does  he 
crave  recreation  and  amusement  because  of  his  peculiar 
isolation?  Such  questions  as  these  must  be  answered 
before  a  definite  plan  for  the  family  can  finally  be  made. 

Usually  this  plan  involves  the  granting  of  material 
assistance,  though  sometimes  discretion  requires  that 
such  aid  should  be  refused.  Too  often,  indeed,  is  it 
taken  for  granted  that  relief  is  a  panacea  for  all  ills; 
too  often  is  it  forgotten  that  relief  may  but  serve  to 
perpetuate  conditions  which  ought  rather  to  be  dis- 
couraged. Surely  it  would  be  but  the  part  of  wisdom 
to  refuse  relief  in  all  cases  when  it  does  not  serve  as  a 
means  to  a  definite  end,  the  end  being  either  the  preven- 
tion of  unnecessary  suffering  or  the  raising  of  family 
standards. 

Thus,  it  is  seen  that  the  second,  third,  and  fourth  prin- 
ciples previously  quoted  are  but  corollaries  of  the  first. 

Two  cases  will  now  be  cited:  the  one  illustrating  the 
dangers  involved  in  the  failure  to  observe  the  second 
principle  laid  down,  "Disciplinary  treatment  of  those 
criminally  responsible  for  dependence;"  the  other  serving 
to  show  the  success  which  often  follows  a  strict  observ- 
ance of  this  principle. 

Joseph  M.,  a  partially  blind  man,  his  wife  and  five  young 
children  have  through  a  period  of  twelve  years  been  practically 
supported  by  a  charitable  agency,  although  all  efforts  to 
improve  their  condition  have  signally  failed. 

The  history  of  the  family  plainly  indicates  hereditary 
defects.  On  the  moral  side,  Mr.  M.  is  lacking  in  all  those 
qualities  which  make  for  respectability,  being  lazy,  untruthful, 
and  devoid  of  all  sense  of  respectability;  on  the  physical 
side,  he  suffers  from  incipient  tuberculosis  as  well  as  from 
defective  eyesight.  Mrs.  M.,  too,  is  lacking  in  both  moral 
and  physical  strength.  Lazy  and  inefficient  both  as  a  mother 
and  as  a  house-keeper,  she  complains  constantly  of  ill-health 
and  declares  herself  unable  to  improve  existing  conditions. 
Of  the  five  children,  one  is  half-blind,  one  is  tuberculous,  and 
one  is  epileptic. 

In  spite  of  all  efforts  made  by  the  relief  agency  to  impress 
the  parents  with  a  feeling  of  responsibility  toward  their  chil- 
dren, it  has  never  been  able  to  achieve  the  desired  result.     Mr. 

33 


CARE   AND   TREATMENT   OF   THE   JEWISH    BLIND 

M.  is  usually  without  employment,  evading  all  efforts  intended 
to  secure  him  suitable  work.  Neither  the  health  nor  the 
education  of  the  children  is  properly  looked  after,  while  in 
other  ways  as  well  their  general  welfare  is  neglected.  The 
agency  continues  to  give  relief  to  this  family,  though  fully 
realizing  its  inability  to  improve  existing  conditions. 

Although  it  is  true  that  the  unwillingness  of  the 
husband  and  father  to  accept  suitable  employment  is 
not  the  sole  cause  of  dependency  in  this  case,  yet  Mr.  M's 
refusal  to  contribute  in  so  far  as  he  is  able  to  the 
support  of  his  family  makes  it  possible  to  hold  him  at  least 
partially  responsible  for  their  need.  In  this  case  because 
of  the  various  complicating  factors,  it  would  probably  be 
impossible  to  compel  Mr.  M.  through  legal  coercion  to 
contribute  to  the  support  of  his  family,  but  legal  aid 
might  be  employed  with  a  view  of  solving  the  situation 
in  a  different  manner.  By  removing  the  children  from 
the  home,  their  interests  could  best  be  protected,  while 
the  parents  could  then  be  forced  either  to  contribute 
toward  their  own  maintenance  or  to  accept  hospital  or 
permanent  institutional  care. 

It  must  not  be  assumed,  however,  that  disciplinary 
treatment  always  involves  legal  procedure.  Sometimes, 
indeed,  the  mere  refusal  to  grant  relief  or  the  threat  to 
withdraw  aid,  may  practically  coerce  individuals  or  fami- 
lies to  contribute  as  far  as  possible  to  their  own  support. 

The  following  case  well  illustrates  the  success  which 
may  follow  such  treatment: 

Mary  G. — living  at  home  with  her  parents  and  younger 
brothers  and  sisters,  suddenly  suffered  severe  pains  in  her 
eyes,  finally  after  the  performance  of  several  unsuccessful 
operations,  losing  her  eyesight  altogether.  Under  these  cir- 
cimistances  it  was,  of  course,  impossible  for  the  girl  to  return 
to  her  former  employment  nor  could  she  look  to  her  parents 
for  the  necessary  support.  Forced,  therefore,  to  seek  char- 
itable aid,  Mary  asked  assistance  of  an  agency  already  in- 
terested in  her  case.  This  assistance  was  temporarily  granted, 
Mary  being  informed  at  the  time  that  later,  after  she  had 
received  the  necessary  training,  she  would  be  expected  to 
contribute  to  her  own  support.  In  spite  of  arguments  most 
sympathetically  urged,  Mary  refused,  however,  to  readjust 
herself  to  her  changed  position,  declaring  herself  unwilling  to 
accept  the  suggested  training. 

34 


PROBLEMS   OF   RELIEF 

Convinced  at  last  that  all  further  efforts  to  persuade 
the  girl  to  follow  this  advice  would  be  equally  unavailing, 
the  interested  agency  finally  decided  to  use  other  methods, 
threatening  to  withdraw  relief  at  once  unless  the  applicant 
consented  to  give  the  suggested  plan  a  fair  trial.  In  this 
way  it  was  found  possible  to  force  the  poor  girl  to  accept  the 
proposed  plan  and  to  arrange  for  her  to  enter  one  of  the 
training  classes  maintained  by  the  New  York  Association  for 
the  Blind. 

During  a  visit  to  the  Association's  headquarters, 
some  months  later,  Mary  was  found  busily  engaged  in 
weaving  baskets.  In  the  course  of  a  confidential  talk, 
she  frankly  admitted  her  gratitude  to  the  visitor  who  had 
practically  compelled  her  to  accept  the  necessary  training 
for  work,  declaring  that  her  existence  would  have  been 
unendurable  had  she  been  allowed  to  remain  at  home 
without  occupation  of  any  kind. 

The  difficulties  in  the  way  of  securing  suitable 
employment  for  blind  persons  are  fully  recognized,  yet 
in  many  cases  it  is  possible  for  blind  applicants  to  con- 
tribute to  their  own  support.  Though  the  remuneration 
offered  by  such  employment  as  is  open  to  the  blind  is 
pitifully  small,  yet  it  must  be  remembered  that  even  a 
small  contribution  toward  the  family  support  may  serve 
a  definite  purpose,  helping  to  preserve  the  independence 
of  the  blind  wage-earner,  and  encouraging  the  family 
to  maintain  a  spirit  of  self-respect.  For  this  reason,  if 
for  no  other,  relief  societies  cannot  afford,  under  ordinary 
circumstances,  to  relieve  blind  applicants  of  all  responsi- 
bility for  their  own  support. 

In  contrast  to  those  blind  recipients  of  charity  who 
are  unwilling  to  contribute  to  their  own  support  are 
others  who,  though  eager  and  willing  to  work,  are  forced 
to  seek  charitable  aid  because  of  their  inability  to  maintain 
their  own  financial  independence.  Here  the  third  prin- 
ciple declared  essential  to  a  sound  relief  policy  may  be 
recalled,  "Relief  with  intelligent  oversight  for  those  who 
can  not  maintain  a  normal  standard  of  living."* 


*  It  must  be  noted  tliat  the  word  "relief"  as  here  used  sliould  be  broadly 
interpreted,  for  though  the  injunction  to  grant  adequate  relief — in  contradistinc- 
tion both  to  excessive  and  inadequate  relief — is  not  explicitly  stated,  it  is  never- 
theless implied  in  the  wording  used. 

35 


CARE   AND   TREATMENT   OF   THE   JEWISH   BLIND 

Two  cases  will  perhaps  serve  to  show  the  dangers 
involved  in  the  neglect  to  observe  the  principle  just 
quoted;  the  one  illustrating  injustice  which  was  caused 
because  of  the  failure  to  grant  adequate  relief  with 
proper  supervision;  the  other  illustrating  injustice  of 
another  nature — injustice  of  pauperizing  applicants  be- 
cause of  the  granting  of  excessive  relief  without  the 
exercise  of  intelligent  oversight. 

Arthur  K.  and  his  family,  consisting  of  a  wife  and  six 
children,  have  been  known  to  a  charitable  agency  for  six 
years.  At  the  time  of  the  original  application,  Mr.  K,  the 
only  breadwinner  in  the  family,  was  suffering  from  acute 
illness,  so  that  temporary  support  was  required.  After  Mr. 
K's  recovery  and  subsequent  return  to  work,  it  was  still  found 
necessary  for  the  interested  agency  to  continue  its  contact 
with  the  family,  for  because  of  failing  eyesight  and  general 
ill  health,  Mr.  K's  earnings  were  insufficient  to  provide  properly 
for  the  family  needs. 

Since  the  time  of  the  original  application,  the  oldest 
daughter,  Rose,  has  reached  working  age,  so  that  at  present 
there  are  two  wage-earners  in  the  family.  The  combined 
income  of  these  two  when  regularly  employed  is  $11  a  week — 
an  income  which  is  most  uncertain  however,  as  Rose's  em- 
ployment is  seasonal,  while  Mr.  K  too,  because  of  ill 
health,  is  unable  to  work  regularly.  On  this  income  the 
family  is  expected  to  live,  for,  although  the  relief  agency  still 
regards  the  case  as  active,  it  is  content  to  send  the  family 
coal  and  clothing,  visiting  them  only  on  special  occasions 
when  emergency  aid  is  asked.  During  periods  of  sickness 
and  unemployment  the  family  is  allowed  to  struggle  along 
without  outside  assistance,  until,  having  finally  reached  the 
breaking  point,  they  are  forced  to  ask  for  increased  aid. 
Under  these  circumstances  it  is  not  surprising  to  learn  that 
Mrs.  K's  health  has  broken  down  completely,  while  all  the 
children  are  suffering  from  malnutrition. 

The  fact  that  the  relief  agency  does  not  deliberately 
plan  to  grant  inadequate  relief  in  this  case  can  hardly 
be  offered  as  an  excuse  for  the  failure  to  protect  its 
applicants  from  unnecessary  pain  and  suffering.  Had  the 
necessary  supervision  been  exercised,  the  existing  condi- 
tions would  have  been  revealed,  making  it  then  possible 
to  grant  the  appropriate  assistance. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  S.  and  their  two  children  have  also  for  a 
long  period  of  years  been  dependent  on  charitable  assistance. 

36 


PROBLEMS   OF   RELIEF 

When  aid  was  first  asked,  the  necessary  amount  for  the  full 
support  of  the  family  was  granted.  At  that  time  the  two 
children  were  still  of  school  age,  while  both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  S. 
were  incapacited  for  work — the  one,  because  of  ill  health  as 
well  as  blindness,  the  other  because  of  other  physical  dis- 
abilities. 

The  case  record  of  this  family  is  largely  devoted  to  items 
of  expenditures,  revealing  the  fact  that  the  applicants  were 
regularly  sent  a  liberal  pension  but  were  visited  only  occasion- 
ally. In  one  entry  a  decrease  in  the  allowance  is  noted — due 
to  the  accidental  discovery  of  other  sources  of  income;  in 
another,  written  at  the  time  when  the  daughter  became  of 
working  age,  a  further  decrease  is  noted.  After  the  lapse  of 
some  years  the  son  also  reached  working  age,  so  that  it  was 
then  decided  to  further  reduce  the  allowance,  the  plan  being 
to  discontinue  relief  altogether  as  soon  as  the  earnings  of 
both  children  yielded  an  income  sufficient  to  maintain  the 
family  properly. 

When  the  plan  was  submitted  to  the  parents  and  children 
however,  they  at  once  became  highly  indignant.  A  stormy 
interview  ensued,  during  the  course  of  which  the  son  declared 
his  unwillingness  to  start  work,  even  though  his  school  record 
had  not  been  encouraging,  while  the  daughter  complained 
bitterly  of  the  financial  obligation  already  imposed  on  her. 
Strangely  enough  the  parents  supported  their  children  in  their 
position,  declaring  that  the  future  prospects  of  their  son  and 
daughter  would  be  utterly  ruined  if  they  were  to  be  held 
responsible  for  the  family  support.  It  is  perhaps  unnecessary 
to  add  that  in  spite  of  these  vehement  protests  relief  was  soon 
discontinued. 

Holding  in  mind  all  the  circumstances  of  this  case, 
are  we  not  forced  to  admit  that  the  relief  agency  must 
share  the  responsibility  with  the  family  themselves  for 
the  situation  developed?  Had  the  representative  of 
this  agency,  during  the  many  years  of  contact  with  the 
family,  constantly  sought  to  impress  both  parents  and 
children  with  the  desirability  of  becoming  self-maintaining 
as  soon  as  circumstances  permitted,  is  it  not  more  than 
likely  that  it  would  have  been  possible  to  develop  a  spirit 
of  self-respect  and  independence,  a  spirit  which  is  now  so 
strangely  lacking? 

In  dealing  with  blind  pensioners,  it  is  unfortunately 
necessary  to  take  special  precautions  against  the  danger 
of  pauperization,  not  because  of  inherent  differences 
between    blind    and    sighted    applicants — for    obviously 

37 


CARE  AND  TREATMENT  OF  THE  JEWISH  BLIND 

such  differences  do  not  exist — but  because  of  the  per- 
manent nature  of  the  handicap  here  considered,  a  han- 
dicap which  often  makes  necessary  the  granting  of 
continued  assistance.  Because  of  this  condition,  bhnd 
apphcants  and  their  famihes  frequently  come  to  regard 
charitable  funds  as  a  source  of  permanent  income, 
often  claiming  relief  even  in  the  face  of  conditions  which 
have  changed  and  so  have  rendered  unnecessary  the  con- 
tinuance of  further  assistance.  To  protect  blind  appli- 
cants and  their  families  from  developing  such  a  spirit, 
to  encourage  them  to  assume,  if  possible,  the  responsi- 
bility of  contributing  to  their  own  support,  is  the  duty 
of  those  who  administer  relief  funds. 

Thus,  a  careful  study  of  the  principle  just  considered 
has  emphasized  the  necessity  not  only  of  granting  ade- 
quate relief  to  those  unable  to  maintain  a  normal  standard 
of  living,  but  also  of  exercising  careful  supervision  over 
families  in  need  of  charitable  assistance. 

If  a  sound  social  policy  demands  the  granting  of  relief 
to  those  unable  to  maintain  a  normal  standard  of  living, 
it  demands  at  the  same  time  the  refusal  of  all  charitable 
support  to  those  who  can — the  fourth  principle  previ- 
ously quoted. 

Two  cases  will  be  presented  as  illustrations  of  the 
dangers  involved  in  the  failure  to  observe  this  last 
principle. 

Edward  N. — a  nineteen  year  old  blind  boy  of  great  musical 
talent  lives  with  his  older  brother  and  sister,  sharing  with 
them  a  comfortable,  well  kept  home.  Anxious  to  be  given  the 
opportunity  of  earning  his  own  living,  the  boy  applied  to  a 
charitable  agency  for  assistance  in  obtaining  the  training 
necessary  to  become  a  professional  musician.  On  the  re- 
commendation of  two  well  known  professors  of  music,  who 
by  request  of  the  interested  agency  had  granted  the  blind 
violinist  a  hearing,  it  was  decided  to  give  him  the  opportunity 
sought.  Soon  afterwards,  therefore,  he  was  entered  at  a 
college  of  music,  the  necessary  tuition  being  paid  by  the 
charitable  agency. 

Inquiry  concerning  the  family  income  had  revealed  the 
fact  that  the  blind  boy's  brother  was  employed  as  a  telegra- 
pher earning  $18  a  week,  while  his  sister,  who  was  not  strong 
and  so  could  not  work  regularly,  was  "helping  from  time  to 
time  as  a  saleslady"  in  order  that  she  might  be  able  "to  make 

38 


PROBLEMS   OF   RELIEF 

pin  money."  Nevertheless  Edward  claimed  that  his  family 
would  find  it  difficult  to  support  him  during  his  years  of  train- 
ing and  asked  that  an  allowance  for  his  maintenance,  as  well 
as  the  sum  necessary  to  defray  the  expenses  incident  to  his 
education,  be  given  him.  This  request  was  granted,  the  in- 
terested agency  thereby  consenting  to  relieve  the  boy's  family 
of  all  financial  responsibility  toward  him. 

Is  it  not  difficult  to  defend  the  policy  of  the  charitable 
agency  in  assuming  the  full  burden  of  the  applicant's 
support  when  an  investigation  had  clearly  revealed  the 
fact  that  the  family  were  in  a  position  to  make  some 
contribution  toward  his  maintenance?  The  agency,  if 
called  on  to  defend  itself,  would  undoubtedly  maintain 
that  the  brother  and  sister  had  long  sacrificed  them- 
selves for  the  blind  boy  and  were,  therefore,  justified  in 
their  request  to  be  relieved  of  any  further  financial 
obligation  to  him.  But  surely  such  an  argument  can  not 
be  accepted  without  protest  by  those  who  fully  realize 
the  issues  involved  in  this  case. 

The  policy  of  forcing  responsible  relatives  whenever 
possible  to  contribute  to  the  support  of  blind  applicants 
cannot  be  too  strongly  urged.  The  disposition  frequently 
shown  by  blind  applicants  and  their  families  to  demand 
support  from  charitable  funds  as  a  right,  regardless  of 
their  own  ability  to  contribute  to  their  maintenance, 
is  one  which  must,  indeed,  be  discouraged,  no  less  for 
the  sake  of  applicants  themselves  than  for  the  sake  of 
the  contributing  public. 

Isadore  W.  and  his  family  consisting  of  his  wife  and  three 
children  have  also  been  granted  charitable  assistance  though 
not  in  actual  need.  Although  the  admitted  family  income  has 
never  been  less  than  $19  to  $20  a  week — a  sum  which  is  sufficient 
for  their  maintenance — assistance  in  the  form  of  groceries  is 
from  time  to  time  sent  them  by  an  agency  interested  in  the 
family  on  account  of  the  blindness  of  the  husband. 

In  this  case  the  interested  agency  might  claim  that 
criticism  is  not  justified  because  of  the  fact  that  the 
assistance  given  is  only  in  the  form  of  groceries  and, 
therefore,  amounts  to  very  little.  But  is  it  not  clear  that 
the  policy  of  granting  relief  at  all  to  those  not  in  need 
of  material  assistance  is  a  dangerous  one,  violating  as  it 
does  an  important  principle? 

39 


CARE   AND   TREATMENT   OF   THE   JEWISH    BLIND 

The  dangers  involved  in  consenting  to  grant  unnec- 
essary relief  are  so  obvious  that  it  is  perhaps  quite  useless 
to  emphasize  them.  Even  more  obvious,  however,  are 
the  dangers  involved  in  offering  unnecessary  aid  to  those 
who  have  not  applied  for  charitable  assistance. 

But  one  example  of  the  danger  of  following  such  a 
policy  will  be  given: 

Bernard  T.,  a  young  man  whose  eyesight  is  fast  failing, 
some  time  ago  came  in  contact  with  a  charitable  agency. 
Through  the  efforts  of  this  organization  medical  care  and 
treatment  were  secured  for  the  young  man,  while  later  suitable 
employment  was  found  for  him. 

In  a  conversation  held  with  Bernard's  mother  on  a  recent 
visit  to  the  family,  Mrs.  T.  acknowledged  with  expressions  of 
deepest  gratitude  the  assistance  given  her  unfortunate  son  by 
the  interested  agency,  adding,  however,  with  tears  in  her 
eyes,  that  sometimes  this  organization  voluntarily  sent  in 
groceries  and  that  on  account  of  this,  the  family  were  regarded 
by  some  of  their  neighbors  as  "charity  people." 

"The  society  has  been  so  good  to  us.  I  don't  like  to  tell 
them  we  don't  want  the  groceries,"  said  the  grateful  woman, 
"but  it's  putting  us  in  a  bad  light  with  our  neighbors."  And 
then  in  a  tone  of  pride,  "We  can  manage  to  get  along  and  we'd 
rather  eat  less  than  receive  charity." 

Who  can  fail  to  admire  the  spirit  of  this  family,  a 
spirit  which  was  evidently  not  recognized  by  those  whose 
task  it  should  have  been  to  encourage  it? 

These  cases  have  been  presented  primarily  as  illus- 
trations of  the  dangers  involved  in  failure  to  observe  the 
modern  scientific  principles  of  relief  previously  quoted. 
Several  will  later  be  cited  as  examples  of  failure  in  that 
co-operation  between  relief  giving  organizations  which 
is  a  sine  qua  non  of  good  case  work. 

This  lack  of  co-operation  between  existing  agencies 
can  perhaps  be  traced  to  two  causes: 

First    '■ — Lack  of  standardization. 

Second — Failure  to  develop  the  formal  machinery  necessary 
for  the  co-ordination  of  effort. 

The  more  or  less  openly  expressed  criticisms  on  the 
part  of  the  specialized  agencies  as  to  the  work  of  the 
general  relief  agencies  testify  to  fundamental  differences 
of  policies  and  methods.    Unfortunately  a  general  feeling 

40 


PROBLEMS   OF   RELIEF 

of  mistrust  prevails,  a  feeling  which  in  some  cases 
approaches  actual  hostility.  Thus  it  was  revealed  that 
often  each  of  several  agencies  interested  in  the  same 
family  tried  to  work  out  alone  its  own  plan  of  treatment, 
each  consulting  the  other  with  the  view  of  superimposing 
its  own  ideas  on  the  "co-operating"  agency  or  agencies, 
rather  than  with  the  view  of  working  out  together  a 
common  plan  to  be  carried  out  jointly  by  all  of  them. 
The  difficulties  in  the  way  of  securing  sincere  co-operation 
among  agencies  which  differ  totally  both  in  principle 
and  in  practice  must  be  easily  comprehended. 

The  specialized  agencies  for  the  blind  often  charge 
the  general  relief  agencies  with  failure  fully  to  under- 
stand and  appreciate  the  viewpoint  of  blind  applicants, 
feeling  that  the  policies  and  practices  of  these  latter 
agencies  are  frequently  based  on  lack  of  sympathy  with 
the  peculiar  needs  of  these  unfortunate  men  and  women. 
The  nature  of  this  charge  can  perhaps  be  better  under- 
stood by  a  study  of  the  following  three  cases — cases  which 
illustrate  the  attitude  frequently  taken  by  the  specialized 
agencies  towards  plans  and  policies  suggested  by  other 
relief  societies. 

Leopold  L. — The  family  first  came  to  the  notice  of  a 
charitable  agency  seven  years  ago,  before  the  death  of  Mr.  L's 
first  wife,  when  temporary  aid  was  asked,  Mr.  L.  claiming  at 
the  time  that  he  was  unable  to  find  work.  The  L's  then  con- 
sisted of  the  parents  and  six  children,  all  of  whom  suffered 
from  defective  eyesight  or  other  physical  disability.  Aid  was 
granted  for  a  few  months  until  the  death  of  Mrs.  L.,  when 
five  of  the  children  were  placed  in  an  orphan  asyltim,  only  one 
remaining  at  the  time  with  his  father.  About  a  year  later 
Mr.  L.  remarried — his  second  wife  being  a  widow  with  two 
children  of  her  own.  Two  children  have  been  born  of  this 
union,  thus  making  ten  children  in  the  present  household. 

Ever  since  Mr.  L.'s  remarriage  the  family  have  been 
largely  dependent  on  charitable  assistance,  for  although  Mr.  L. 
is  a  tailor  by  trade  he  is  seldom  employed,  being  apparently 
both  lazy  and  inefficient.  Support  has  been  supplied  more  or 
less  regularly  by  two  agencies,  both  of  whom  have  made  con- 
stant efforts  to  do  work  of  a  constructive  nature  with  the  family. 
These  efforts  have,  however,  unfortunately  met  with  little 
success,  for  in  spite  of  pressure  which  has  been  exerted  on  the 
parents,  they  still  continue  to  neglect  the  health,  education,  and 
general  welfare  of  the  children.     Constant  friction  prevails 

41 


CARE   AND   TREATMENT   OF   THE   JEWISH    BLIND 

in  the  household,  the  step-mother,  on  her  side,  complaining 
of  the  bad  habits  of  her  husband's  children,  as  well  as  of  their 
inability,  because  of  defective  eyesight  and  poor  physical  con- 
dition, to  assist  her  with  her  domestic  duties;  the  children,  on 
their  side,  complaining  that  they  are  both  neglected  and  abused. 

Recently — matters  having  gone  from  bad  to  worse — one 
of  the  interested  agencies  began  to  realize  the  hopelessness  of 
the  existing  situation,  and  therefore  decided  to  refuse  all 
further  relief.  This  decision  was  reached  in  the  hope  of  bringing 
matters  to  an  issue,  for  the  two  oldest  daughters — both  wage 
earners  at  present — had  themselves  suggested  that  their  home 
ought  to  be  broken  up,  declaring  that  if  several  of  their  younger 
brothers  and  sisters  could  be  placed  in  an  orphan  asylum,  they 
would  themselves  be  glad  to  leave  their  present  home  to  live 
with  strangers  in  a  more  satisfactory  environment.  By  refusing 
relief,  it  was  thought  possible  that  the  parents  could  be  indi- 
rectly forced  to  accept  this  plan. 

Unfortunately  however,  the  second  agency  interested  in 
the  family  did  not  approve  of  such  extreme  measures  and  con- 
sequently was  not  inclined  to  withdraw  relief.  Little  has  been 
accomplished,  therefore,  by  the  action  of  the  first  agency,  for 
even  though  the  amount  of  relief  given  by  the  second  organi- 
zation is  small,  nevertheless  it  serves  to  encourage  the  family, 
morally  as  well  as  financially,  to  continue  its  existence  as  a 
unit.  Each  agency  in  turn  is  most  sincere  in  challenging  the 
position  taken  by  the  other,  while  the  members  of  the  family 
themselves  are  divided,  some  being  supported  by  the  first 
organization,  some  by  the  second. 

Hannah  G. — Mrs.  G.  is  an  aged  widow,  sick  and  blind, 
living  with  a  son-in-law  and  married  daughter  also  partially 
blind  and  in  poor  health.  The  agency  which  had  been  assisting 
the  family  for  some  time  finally  discontinued  relief  on  the 
grounds  that  the  older  woman  could  not  receive  proper  care  in 
the  home  of  her  daughter  and  so  should  be  induced  to  enter 
an  institution.  This  action  was,  of  course,  taken  by  advice 
of  a  responsible  physician. 

Withdrawal  of  relief  would  have  compelled  Mrs.  G.  to 
accept  the  institutional  care  so  necessary  for  her  well  being  and 
for  that  of  her  daughter,  but  at  this  point  a  second  agency 
stepped  in,  which  by  providing  a  small  pension  has  made  it 
possible  for  the  old  woman  to  reject  the  plan  suggested.  This 
second  agency  maintains  that  under  no  circumstances— not 
even  if  on  the  brink  of  starvation — would  the  two  women 
consent  to  be  separated,  so  that  it  is  claimed  that  all  efforts  to 
force  the  situation  are  needlessly  cruel. 

Michel  B. — Michel  is  the  husband  of  a  sick  wife  and  the 
father  of  several  young  children.  Compelled  a  few  months  ago 
because  of  failing  eyesight  to  discontinue  his   regular  work, 

42 


PROBLEMS   OF   RELIEF 

Michel  soon  found  it  impossible  to  earn  enough  to  provide  for 
himself  and  family.  Upon  applying  to  a  relief  agency  for  aid, 
he  was  asked  in  the  course  of  a  first  interview  for  the  names 
and  addresses  of  his  nearest  relatives.  Although  the  reason  for 
the  request  was  fully  explained  at  the  time,  Michel  refused  the 
desired  information,  declaring  that  his  sisters  and  brothers  were 
not  in  a  position  to  give  him  any  assistance  and  should,  there- 
fore, not  be  subjected  to  the  annoyance  of  an  interview.  Finding 
it  impossible  to  move  the  applicant  from  his  position,  the  visitor 
then  informed  him  that  he  would  not  be  granted  assistance 
until  he  should  consent  to  answer  the  questions  put  to  him. 

Undaunted  by  the  refusal  of  one  agency  to  grant  him  relief 
on  his  own  terms,  Michel  then  applied  to  a  second,  asking  assist- 
ance of  an  organization  interested  in  the  blind.  This  second 
agency  soon  communicated  with  the  relief  society  previously 
applied  to,  learning  from  them  the  full  circumstances  of  the 
situation.  In  the  face  of  these  facts,  however,  and  in  the  face 
of  Michel's  repeated  refusal  to  furnish  the  names  and  addresses 
of  relatives,  the  second  agency  decided  to  grant  the  asssitance 
asked  for,  thus  openly  supporting  the  applicant  in  his  position 
and  indirectly  charging  the  other  relief  organization  with  lack 
of  sympathy  and  consideration. 

We  are  not  attempting  at  this  point  to  apportion 
the  blame  between  the  agencies  for  the  opposing  courses 
pursued.  We  are  simply  endeavoring  to  stress  the  un- 
fortunate situation  which  inevitably  arises  when  various 
organizations  deahng  with  the  same  group  differ 
basically  in  policies  and  methods.  The  failure  of  the 
existing  organizations  to  work  in  harmony  with  each 
other  naturally  reflects  itself  in  the  attitude  of  applicants 
who,  finding  themselves  supported  by  one  agency  against 
another,  often  end  by  refusing  to  place  confidence  in 
either  of  them.  The  demoralizing  effect  of  such  a  situa- 
tion needs  hardly  to  be  emphasized. 

But  disagreement  between  interested  agencies  was 
not  always  found  to  be  based  on  fundamental  differences 
regarding  policies  and  methods,  for  often  it  was  evident 
that  these  differences  were  more  or  less  superficial  and 
could  easily  have  been  adjusted  had  the  various  co- 
operating agencies  frequently  consulted  each  other  with 
the  view  of  clearing  up  all  points  of  misunderstanding. 

The  necessity  for  periodic  conferences  between  organi- 
zations all  working  in  the  same  field  must  at  once  suggest 
itself.     Only  through  discussion  is  it  possible  to  develop 

43 


CARE   AND   TREATMENT   OF   THE   JEWISH    BLIND 

broad  policies  acceptable  to  all  and  to  apply  those  policies 
to  individual  cases  as  necessity  arises.  Nor  is  it  possible 
to  prevent  duplication  and  overlapping  of  work  unless 
information  is  systematically  exchanged. 

Up  to  the  present  time,  however,  all  attempts  to 
work  out  a  definite  plan  of  co-operation  between  the 
various  agencies  interested  in  the  blind  have  ended  in 
complete  failure.  Although  it  is  true  that  information 
is  frequently  exchanged  among  agencies  in  opening  up  a 
case  or  later  in  the  course  of  its  development,  never- 
theless there  is  no  definite  modus  operandi,  information 
not  being  exchanged  systematically  and  seldom  leading 
to  a  working  agreement  between  organizations  interested 
in  the  same  family.  It  is,  therefore,  not  surprising  to 
learn  that  sometimes  two  or  more  agencies  assist  the  same 
family  without  even  knowing  of  each  other's  interest 
in  the  case.  Thus,  it  was  found  that  certain  blind 
families  were  receiving  relief  which  was  quite  excessive, 
while  others  were  receiving  less  than  they  actually 
needed.  An  executive  of  one  of  the  agencies  studied 
frankly  admitted  this  situation,  stating  that  in  cal- 
culating the  amount  of  relief  required,  a  certain  deficit 
was  often  left  in  the  income,  the  agency  feeling  sure  that 
other  unknown  organizations  were  assisting  the  family  in 
some  way.  The  injustice  of  such  a  system  can  hardly  be 
denied,  yet  in  the  absence  of  the  necessary  machinery  for 
the  systematic  exchange  of  information,  a  resort  to  this 
method  of  preventing  fraud  is  perhaps  natural. 

And  this  failure  of  the  agencies  to  discuss  their  mutual 
problems  manifests  itself  in  other  ways  as  well.  Often 
as  a  result  of  their  lack  of  co-operation  various  organi- 
zations interested  in  the  same  family  fail  to  work  out  a 
definite  plan,  each  unconsciously  assuming  that  the 
other  agencies  are  holding  themselves  responsible  for 
this  task;  or,  on  the  other  hand,  various  agencies  inter- 
ested in  the  same  family  often  work  at  cross-purposes 
with  each  other,  each  unconsciously  advocating  a  plan 
which  conflicts  with  those  suggested  by  other  organ- 
izations. 

Thus  it  is  seen  that  many  difficulties  and  dangers 
are  involved   in  the  present  system,   or  rather  lack  of 

44 


PROBLEMS   OF   RELIEF 

system,  existing  among  agencies  which  administer  rehef 
to  the  bhnd.  The  gravest  of  these  is  perhaps  the  un- 
necessary suffering  of  bhnd  appHcants,  though  the  useless 
expenditure  of  time,  effort,  and  money  must  also  be 
considered. 

The  temptation  to  give  one  last  case  can  not  be 
resisted,  a  case  which  strikingly  illustrates  many  of  the 
points  just  made. 

Samuel  P. — The  record  studied  covers  a  period  of  fifteen 
years,  during  which  time  rehef  has  been  given  the  bhnd  man 
and  his  family  by  the  United  Hebrew  Charities,  the  New  York 
Guild  for  the  Jewish  Blind,  the  New  York  Association  for  the 
Blind,  the  Hebrew  Association  for  the  Blind,  the  City  Depart- 
ment of  Public  Charities,  as  well  as  by  various  private  in- 
dividuals. During  all  these  years  each  of  the  several  interested 
agencies  has  suggested  to  Samuel  that  he  find  employment 
of  some  kind,  but  none  of  them  have  been  aggressive  in 
their  attitude,  nor  have  they  submitted  definite  proposals 
regarding  work  for  the  blind  man.  Meantime  Samuel 
and  his  family  have  gladly  taken  advantage  of  the  situa- 
tion, evading  such  suggestions  as  have  been  made.  Finally 
each  agency  in  turn  having  become  discouraged  with  the 
applicants,  has  decreased  its  allowance  in  the  vague  hope 
that  others  might  succeed  where  it  had  failed.  A  decrease  in 
the  relief  granted  by  one  agency  has  usually  been  accompanied 
by  an  increase  in  the  allowance  granted  by  a  second  or  by  an 
appeal  to  an  individual  or  agency  not  previously  solicited. 
None  of  the  organizations  interested  has  assumed  full  responsi- 
bility for  the  family,  nor  have  they  definitely  consulted  each 
other  in  order  to  co-ordinate  their  efforts.  Each  has  been 
content  to  supplement  the  relief  granted  by  the  other — each 
has  felt  that  "somebody"  should  take  drastic  action. 

Samuel  on  his  side  feels  most  grateful  to  all  the  agencies 
who  have  helped  him  and  his  family,  and  is  comforted  in  the 
belief  that  when  the  present  aid  is  discontinued  other  assistance 
will  be  forth-coming.  Given  at  present  $4  a  month  by  one 
charitable  agency,  supplied  with  coal  by  a  second  and  with 
clothes  by  a  third,  granted  a  regular  pension  by  the  city  and 
assisted  by  his  children  who  are  now  of  working  age,  the  blind 
man  finds  no  cause  for  complaint  with  his  lot.  To  visitors 
from  various  charitable  agencies,  however,  he  always  expresses 
the  hope  of  finding  some  day  a  means  of  contributing  to  his 
own  support.  Are  these  expressions  accepted  seriously  by  those 
who  now  assist  the  blind  man?  Probably  not,  yet  relief  is 
continued.  It  is  too  late  now  to  take  radical  steps,  and  Samuel 
has  an  appealing  manner,  a  kindly  disposition,  and  a  way  of 
offering  excuses  which   arc  often  difficult   to  meet.      In   all 

45 


CARE   AND   TREATMENT   OF   THE   JEWISH    BLIND 

probability  self-support  plans  will  continue  to  drift  while  the 
community  will  continue  to  shoulder  an  unnecessary  financial 
burden,  thus  encouraging  pauperism  instead  of  preventing  it. 

Time,  money,  and  effort  have  all  been  spent  in  vain, 
and  yet  no  one  agency  can  be  held  responsible  for  the 
situation.  Can  it  be  doubted  that  each  in  turn  sincerely 
depended  on  the  other  to  work  out  a  definite  plan,  thus 
feeling  relieved  of  the  necessity  for  taking  aggressive 
measures  on  its  own  account? 


Conclusion 

Having  analyzed  at  some  length  the  nature  and 
causes  of  the  existing  confusion,  a  remedy  may  now  be 
suggested  for  the  situation  disclosed. 

Two  distinct  alternatives  are  at  hand: 

First: — Co-ordination  of  the  nimierous  existing  agencies 
which  administer  relief  to  the  Jewish  blind.  This  would 
entail  radical  reforms  in  the  organization  of  individual  agencies, 
as  well  as  the  introduction  of  machinery  capable  of  promoting 
the  necessary  co-operation  between  them. 

Second: — Unification  of  administration  of  relief  to  the 
Jewish  Blind.  This  would  entail  the  elimination  of  many 
existing  organizations  so  far  as  relief  giving  is  concerned, 
centralizing  control  and  administration  in  one  agency — an 
agency  which  not  only  subscribes  to  the  recognized  principles 
of  relief,  but  which  is  able  to  evolve  the  machinery  and  tech- 
nique capable  of  meeting  the  requirements  of  the  situation. 

Each  method  has  its  own  distinct  advantages  and  dis- 
advantages— advantages  and  disadvantages  which  differ, 
however,  in  degree  as  well  as  in  nature. 

The  advantages  to  be  secured  through  the  adoption  of 
the  first  method  are  obvious.  By  accepting  this  alter- 
native, it  would  be  possible  to  continue  the  existence 
of  all  the  organizations  at  present  engaged  in  the  field 
here  considered — organizations  which  it  must  be  admitted 
have  devoted  many  years  of  faithful  service  to  their 
chosen  task. 

Disregarding  for  the  moment  the  general  objections 
which    can    be   offered    against    the    acceptance   of    this 

46 


PROBLEMS   OF    RELIEF 

method,  certain  specific  objections  growing  out  of  the 
pecuhar  circumstances  of  the  existing  situation  must  be 
urged  against  it. 

The  difficulties  in  the  way  of  securing  uniformity  of 
poHcy  and  clearly  defined  functions  among  the  numerous 
existing  agencies  have  already  been  discussed,  difficulties 
which,  it  must  be  plainly  stated,  appear  to  be  insur- 
mountable. In  theory  it  might  be  possible  to  bring 
about  a  change  of  heart  in  these  various  agencies,  de- 
veloping certain  standards  and  policies  to  be  accepted 
by  all,  as  well  as  the  machinery  necessary  for  translating 
these  principles  and  policies  into  actual  service.  In 
theory  it  might  be  possible  to  work  out  an  agreement 
between  the  existing  agencies,  assigning  to  each  certain 
applicants  or  types  of  applicants,  and  drawing  certain 
distinct  lines  between  them.  In  practice,  however,  it  is 
feared  that  such  an  attempt  would  be  ship-wrecked,  as 
previous  attempts  have  been  ship- wrecked,  stranded  on 
the  rock  of  discord  and  mistrust. 

The  advantages  to  be  secured  through  the  adoption 
of  the  second  method  are  equally  obvious.  By  accepting 
this  method  authority  would  be  definitely  vested  in  one 
central  agency  which  could,  therefore,  be  held  directly 
responsible  for  the  administration  of  all  relief  to  the  blind. 

But  many  will  raise  objections  to  such  a  solution, 
declaring  their  unwillingness  to  deprive  existing  agencies 
of  the  function  of  relief  giving  already  assumed  by  them. 
Without  seeking  to  minimize  the  extent  of  the  sacrifice 
entailed,  we  can  not  but  believe,  however,  that  this  is  a 
sacrifice  which  the  interested  agencies  are  prepared  to 
make  if  once  convinced  of  the  need  for  it.  The  mistakes 
of  the  past  will  not  have  been  made  in  vain  if  they  serve 
to  suggest  the  course  to  be  followed  in  the  future. 

What  that  course  shall  be  has  already  been  clearly 
indicated.  Recalling  the  advantages  and  disadvantages 
entailed  in  the  two  alternatives  previously  suggested,  it 
is  clear  that  the  second  alternative — unification  of 
administration — is  the  one  which  must  be  accepted. 

Those  who  undertake  to  carry  out  this  plan  will 
themselves  be  able  to  work  out  the  necessary  details. 
In  the  end  their  efforts  will  be  crowned  with  success  in 

47 


CARE   AND   TREATMENT   OF   THE   JEWISH    BLIND 

exact  proportion  with  their  willingness  and  ability  to  act 
impartially  and  without  personal  bias,  fearlessly  assuming 
the  responsibility  for  all  necessary  changes  in  the  situa- 
tion, steadfastly  holding  in  mind  the  one  purpose  before 
them — the  purpose  of  promoting  effectiveness  in  the 
administration  of  relief  to  the  Jewish  blind. 


48 


IV.     PROBLEMS   OF   EMPLOYMENT 


CARE   AND   TREATMENT   OF   THE   JEWISH    BLIND 


IV.     PROBLEMS   OF   EMPLOYMENT 

Amongst  the  many  tragedies  besetting  the  blind  man 
on  all  sides,  none  is  greater,  perhaps  none  so  great,  as  his 
enforced  economic  dependence.  His  inability  to  earn  a 
living  for  himself  and  his  family;  among  the  more  am- 
bitious and  gifted,  the  impossibility  of  ever  reaching  a 
desired  standard — worse  still,  the  lowering  of  standards 
that  ensues  when  the  head  of  the  family  loses  his  sight — 
all  these  evils  crowd  around  the  blind  man  so  thickly, 
the  other  tragedies  incident  to  blindness  become  insig- 
nificant by  comparison. 

To  the  blind  youth  coming  forth  with  high  hopes 
from  the  school  or  institute  where  he  has  been  trained 
for  work;  to  the  older  man  compelled  to  give  up  an 
occupation  which  has  strained  his  failing  eyesight  almost 
to  the  breaking  point;  to  those  others  whose  loss  of  vision 
has  come  so  quickly,  so  suddenly  that  they  are  crushed 
under  the  unexpected  burden — to  each  and  all  of  these 
comes  the  burning,  the  paramount  question:  What  can 
I  do  to  contribute  towards  the  support  of  myself  and 
my  family?  Where  can  I  find  an  occupation  which 
without  vision  I  can  enter,  one  that  will  ensure  a  fair 
measure  of  return  for  the  thought  and  labor  I  expend? 

So  far  this  problem  of  work  for  the  blind  has  not  been 
adequately  met,  as  much  from  the  fact  that  no  one  agency 
(with  the  exception  of  the  New  York  Association  in  its 
workshop)  has  attempted  to  handle  this  question  in  a 
large  and  comprehensive  way,  as  from  the  inherent 
difificulties  of  the  situation.  And  yet  the  constant  cry 
of  the  blind  man,  "Don't  give  me  charity,  but  help  me 
to  get  work,"  is  a  cry  so  sincere  and  heartrending,  so 
often  and  so  constantly  repeated,  it  behooves  us  to 
give  the  subject  of  employment  a  thoughtful  consideration 
that  will  help  us  to  surmount  obstacles,  innumerable 
indeed. 

Unfortunately  the  day  has  not  yet  arrived — it  may 

50 


PROBLEMS    OF   EMPLOYMENT 

never  arrive — when  we  can  hope  to  make  the  majority 
of  bhnd  people  self  supporting,  especially  those  blind 
persons  who  lose  their  sight  in  later  years  when  the 
habits  of  life  have  already  been  formed.  Yet  by  the 
organized  effort  of  the  community  much  can  be  done  to 
assist  them  towards  this  ultimate  goal — and  it  is  only  by 
such  an  organized  effort  that  we  can  hope,  in  any  measure, 
to  solve  this  complex  and  intricate  problem. 

To  what  extent  has  this  effort  already  been  made? 
What  assistance  in  securing  employment  can  the  blind 
man  or  woman  expect  from  the  existing  agencies? 

In  an  endeavor  to  bring  as  much  light  as  possible  on 
existing  conditions  as  to  employment  of  the  Jewish  blind, 
the  work  histories  of  all  blind  Jewish  males  between 
the  ages  of  16  and  60  included  in  this  survey — 144  in 
all — have  been  carefully  studied  and  analyzed.* 

The  field  covered  includes: 

I.  A  study  of  occupations  with  earnings  before  blindness, 
to  determine  the  social  and  industrial  status  before  blindness 
of  the  group  in  which  we  are  interested. 

II.  A  study  of  the  occupations  with  earnings  after 
blindness  to  determine: 

a.  The  social  and  industrial  status  of  the  same 
group  after  they  became  handicapped  by  defective  vision; 

b.  The  kind  of  employment  into  which  they  have 
consciously  or  unconsciously  drifted; 

c.  The  potential  opportunities  for  self  support  offered 
by  these  occupations,  and  lastly, 

d.  If,  and  wherein,  the  Jewish  blind  man  differs 
from  his  co- workers  in  the  industrial  world,  making  the 
problem  of  employment  for  the  Jewish  blind  perhaps  some- 
what different  from  the  problem  of  employment  of  the 
blind  in  general. 

To  obtain  the  required  data  as  to  occupations  and 
earnings,  every  blind  person  coming  within  the  scope 
of  the  survey  was  visited  and  direct  information  as  to 
the  desired  facts  was  secured.  This  information  was 
verified  by  a  study  of  the  records  of  various  organizations 
with  whom  a  majority  of  the  group  had  at  one  time  or 

*  No  attempt  has  been  made  to  study  the  work  histories  of  the  75  bhnd 
women  of  working  age,  for  it  was  found  that  comparatively  few  of  these  vyomen 
had  made  an  attempt  to  become  self  supporting,  thus  nKiking  it  impossible  to 
draw  any  general  conclusions  from  a  study  of  their  industrial  careers. 

51 


CARE   AND   TREATMENT   OF   THE   JEWISH    BLIND 

another  come  in  contact.  In  addition  to  this  the  earnings 
of  all  Jewish  men,  who  were  at  the  time  employed  in  the 
workshop  of  the  New  York  Association,  were  verified 
from  the  pay  roll  of  the  Association. 

It  is  evident  that  in  order  to  study  our  group  most 
intelligently  we  must  first  be  able  to  picture  them  as 
they  were  before  blindness — before  defective  vision  had 
materially  decreased  their  capacity  for  self  support. 
Were  these  men  a  representative  group  of  wage  earners? 
Are  we  dealing  with  a  class  of  workers  who  were  able  to 
support  themselves  and  their  families  before  they  were 
handicapped  by  impaired  vision  or  total  loss  of  sight? 
A  study  of  the  table  on  the  opposite  page  will  furnish 
us  with  an  answer  to  this  question. 

Although  there  are  in  our  group  144  men  between 
the  ages  of  16  and  60,  only  114  are  listed  on  this  table, 
the  investigation  having  brought  to  light  the  fact  that 
of  these  144  men  30  had  never  been  gainfully  employed 
previous  to  blindness.  Of  these  30  a  majority  were 
either  blind  from  birth  or  lost  their  vision  in  early  youth 
before  they  had  reached  working  age. 

Several  facts  must  be  borne  in  mind  before  an  attempt 
can  be  made  to  analyze  the  earnings  of  the  group  under 
consideration.  It  must  not  be  forgotten  that  many 
of  the  men  here  included  lost  their  vision  at  an  early 
age  before  they  were  able  to  reach  the  maximum  of  their 
industrial  efficiency — thus  accounting  for  the  unusually 
low  earning  capacity  of  some  members  of  the  group. 
It  must  also  be  remembered  that  many  others,  though 
not  at  the  time  sufficiently  handicapped  by  defective 
vision  as  to  be  considered  blind  according  to  our  defini- 
tion, yet  suffered  from  birth  or  early  childhood  with 
extremely  weak  eyesight  so  that  they  also  were  never 
able  to  earn  as  much  as  could  normal  persons.  On  the 
other  hand,  allowance  must  be  made  in  the  case  of  others 
for  a  somewhat  natural  exaggeration  after  a  lapse  of  years 
as  to  former  earning  capacity. 

Bearing  these  facts  in  mind  let  us  now  turn  to  a  study 
of  the  table.  While  it  was  definitely  established  that  all  of 
the  114  men  under  consideration  had  been  gainfully  em- 
ployed before  blindness,  exact  information  as  to  the  occu- 

62 


PROBLEMS   OF   EMPLOYMENT 


H 


J^-^co 


SoS 


O  lO 


0)  o 


CO  (N  Tfi  (M  (M  T-4 


O      -C^      -CO 


CO      -(M      •--( 


CO  't  i-H       •  !M  1-1 


O  rH  1-4       ■       •  C^ 


lO  i-l       -CO       -1—1  ■  1— I 


(M  --I       -CI       •  1-4         --I 


o 
(U  'C 

go 


C    p-i  W    h    rn    G 
.  G    t-i    t-(    <U  J3  •  1h    W3 

-GO  0);^  -gT3^ 
J::;   173   ts   (U   W)  P  .-5 

OPhOPh^PQO 


H  Ch'  S  "^  "IS 
ra   <Li   3   (U   O 


-G  a;  S2^£  S-^.a  S 


H 


t;>;iy'"G<^t:;yi5H^'^ 
HO     PL,Wpqp;<;OOP 


53 


CARE   AND   TREATMENT   OF   THE   JEWISH    BLIND 

pations  of  14  of  these  men  was  not  obtainable,  thus 
reducing  the  number  of  men  with  known  occupations  to 
100.  Exact  information  as  to  earning  capacity  of  19  of 
these  100  men  was  also  not  obtainable,  although  the  defin- 
ite statement  may  be  made  that  at  least  7  of  these  19  men 
were  known  to  have  been  self  supporting  previous  to 
loss  of  vision. 

Of  the  100  men  whose  occupations  before  blindness  are 
known,  35  earned  sums  varying  from  $5.50  to  $12  a  week, 
46  were  able  to  earn  from  $12  to  $20  and  over  weekly, 
while,  as  has  already  been  stated,  of  those  19  men  whose 
earnings  were  not  established  at  least  7  are  known  to 
have  earned  fairly  comfortable  livings  for  themselves  and 
their  families. 

The  median  wage  of  the  group  under  consideration 
falls  within  the  $12  to  $15  class,  while  the  modal  wage, 
that  received  by  the  largest  number  of  workers,  finds 
itself  within  this  group  and  within  the  next  largest 
group,  those  receiving  from  $15  to  $18  a  week. 

These  figures  at  a  casual  glance  may  seem  to  be 
somewhat  low,  yet  when  we  take  into  consideration  the 
fact  that  about  half  the  adult  male  wage  earners  of  the 
United  States,  east  of  the  Rockies  and  north  of  the  Mason 
and  Dixon  line,  earn  less  than  $12  a  week,*  and  when  we 
note  that  the  earnings  of  about  one-half  of  our  group 
fall  within  this  same  class — $12  or  less — we  may  fairly 
assume  that  we  are  dealing  with  a  group  of  workers  whose 
earnings,  as  a  whole,  compare  favorably  with  those  of 
other  wage  earners  in  the  general  population. 

Now  let  us  turn  to  the  other  side  of  the  picture,  to 
the  economic  condition  of  these  men  after  blindness  or 
total  loss  of  vision  has  reduced  their  efficiency  in  the 
industrial  world. 

It  was  found  that  of  the  144  men  here  considered, 
40  had  sought  no  outside  occupation  after  losing  their 
eyesight.  In  this  group  are  included  31  who  suffered  from 
sickness  other  than  blindness  which  made  it  impossible 
for  them  to  seek  employment  of  any  nature;  2  recently 
overcome  by  blindness  and  not  yet  able  to  find  suitable 


Wage  Statistics  in  the  United  States,  Scott  Nearing,  pp.  209-211. 

54 


PROBLEMS   OF   EMPLOYMENT 

occupation;  2  men  of  independent  means,  and  5  others 
who,  though  physically  fit  except  for  their  blindness, 
refused  to  do  work  of  any  nature,  being  supported  by  the 
efforts  of  their  relatives  or  by  contributions  from  chari- 
table agencies. 

What  is  the  earning  capacity  of  these  104  men  who, 
in  spite  of  their  severe  physical  handicap,  have  entered 
the  industrial  world? 

A  study  of  the  table  on  the  following  page  reveals  the 
fact  that  the  median  earnings,  roughly  speaking,  are  $5.50 
a  week,  38  of  the  80  men  whose  earnings  were  obtainable 
earning  less  than  $5.50,  while  40  earn  $5.50and  over. 

It  is  perhaps  interesting  to  note  that  the  largest 
number  of  wage  earners,  15,  are  found  within  the  $2.50 
to  $3.50  group,  while  the  next  largest  number,  13,  earn 
only  from  $3.50  to  $4.50  weekly. 

When  we  compare  these  earnings  with  those  of  the 
same  group  before  loss  of  vision  and  realize  that  the 
median  wage  before  blindness  was  $12  to  $15  a  week  as 
compared  with  $4.50  to  $5.50  after  blindness;  when 
we  remember  that  before  blindness  the  two  largest 
groups  received  $12  to  $15  and  $15  to  $18  a  week,  while 
after  blindness  the  two  largest  groups  are  able  to  earn 
only  $2.50  to  $3.50  and  $3.50  to  $4.50  weekly,  the  eco- 
nomic tragedy  of  blindness  can  better  be  understood  and 
appreciated.  Unable  for  the  most  part  to  earn  a  decent 
living  for  himself,  the  blind  man  is  thus  forced  to  turn  to 
that  charity  whose  effects  are  so  often  dangerous  and  de- 
moralizing both  to  him  and  to  his  dependents. 

Turning  from  a  general  consideration  of  the  earnings 
received,  let  us  now  examine  the  various  occupations  in 
which  these  blind  men  are  engaged.  Does  a  study  of 
this  table  throw  any  definite  light  on  the  types  of  employ- 
ment open  to  men  of  this  handicapped  class?  Does  it 
perhaps  suggest  which  occupations  should  be  encouraged 
and  stimulated,  which  avenues  of  employment  should 
be  broadened  and  developed  by  those  interested  in  the 
economic  welfare  of  this  unfortunate  group? 

Turning  again  to  our  table  we  find  that  of  the  104 
workers  under  consideration  61,  or  nearly  60  percent, 
are   listed    in    five    "occupations:"     peddlers,    13;     com- 

55 


CARE   AND   TREATMENT   OF   THE   JEWISH    BLIND 


:?: 
w 
w 

H 

m 

CO 

Q 

<d 

Q 
I— I 
pq 

►J 

o 

1-H      * 


^-^ 

'7^    CO 
Q   ^ 

Ij  O 

PQ 
Eh    < 

CO 

< 
w 

W 


C/2 

o 

I— ( 

o 
o 
o 


H 


S  oS 


SoS 


0)  o 


CO  fO  CO  (N  O  05       CO  lO       ■*        CO  CO  ro  C^  O)  o 


•  t^      -(N  1-1  CD 


(M      •CO'-I 


(N  T-H  tH  1— I  rH       ■         ,—1 


■  r-l(M      •  i-H 


(M  i-KM      •  --I      •        Ca  T-l        (M 


1-1  i-H  (N  (N  i-H 


(M  1— I  C<I  1-H  T-H      •        1—100 


C   O 

(u  ^.  =5  oj 


OS 

mo 


O   O   O 


oo 


Vh   ,—1 

a;  nS 

>o 

OJ  'd 
a.  71 


■  3 


CO  Vh  G 

C    ""    3 


56 


PROBLEMS   OF   EMPLOYMENT 

mission  agents,  13;  workers  in  the  New  York  Association 
shop,  13;    beggars,  12;    owners  of  news  stands,  10. 

Of  the  remaining  43,  9  are  engaged  in  their  own 
businesses;  5  are  newspaper  venders,  6  are  employed  as 
office  boys  or  messengers;  4  are  engaged  as  clerks;  3  are 
lawyers,  3  music  teachers,  3  piano  tuners;  2  are  janitors, 
while  8  are  employed  in  other  occupations  which  are 
of  a  temporary  nature  and  do  not  offer  real  opportunities 
for  blind  persons. 

It  may  be  well,  at  this  point,  to  examine  all  these 
occupations  in  detail,  so  that  their  relative  importance 
and  potential  opportunities  may  be  carefully  considered. 

It  has  been  said  that  only  the  New  York  Association 
for  the  Blind  has  made  any  important  or  organized  effort 
to  help  solve  the  problem  of  employment  for  this  handi- 
capped class — and  these  efforts  have  taken,  for  the  most 
part,  the  form  of  training  for  handicraft  work.  Although 
much  has  been  accomplished  by  the  Association  in  its 
chosen  field,  the  results,  at  least  as  far  as  the  Jewish 
blind  wage  earner  is  concerned,  are  far  from  being  as 
successful  as  is  perhaps  thought  by  the  general  public. 

The  comfortable  assurance  on  the  part  of  those  not 
in  close  touch  with  the  situation  that  the  economic  prob- 
lems of  the  blind  are  being  adequately  and  successfully 
met,  now  that  chair  caning,  basket  weaving,  mattress 
making,  and  similar  handicraft  trades  have  been  opened 
up  to  them,  has  often  led  to  a  cessation  of  interest  in  the 
economic  problems  of  this  handicapped  group  by  those 
who  would  otherwise  be  deeply  concerned  in  the  further- 
ance of  their  industrial  welfare. 

A  knowledge  of  the  contribution  of  the  New  York 
Association  towards  the  problem  of  employment  for  the 
Jewish  Blind  is,  therefore,  of  the  deepest  interest. 

A  study  of  the  table  reveals  the  fact  that  there  are 
at  present  just  12  Jewish  men  employed  in  the  work- 
shop, not  including  one  blind  Jewish  workman  who  is 
engaged  as  a  teacher  of  brush  making.  Of  these,  8  work 
in  the  chair  caning  department — the  lowest  paid  of  all 
the  trades — while  4  are  employed  in  the  broom  making 
department.  Six  of  these  men  earn  only  from  $2.50  to 
$3.50  weekly;    2  from  $3.50  to  $4.50;    1  from  $4.50  to 

57 


CARE   AND   TREATMENT   OF   THE   JEWISH    BLIND 

$5.50;  1  from  $5.50  to  $6.50;  while  only  2  have  been 
able  to  reach  the  $8  to  $10  class. 

Considering  the  small  number  of  Jewish  men  employed 
at  the  New  York  Association  workshop,  the  low  wages 
received,  the  fact  that  only  a  small  proportion  of  their 
number  ever  reach  the  higher  paid  industries,  the  definite 
conclusion  must  be  drawn  that,  as  matters  are  at  present, 
employment  at  the  New  York  Association  shop  does  not 
offer  the  Jewish  workman  a  large  field  for  development, 
nor  as  great  an  opportunity  for  advancement — com- 
mensurate with  the  arduous  nature  of  the  work  involved 
— as  do  many  other  employments  and  occupations  open 
to  him. 

It  should  not,  however,  be  understood  that  work  at 
the  New  York  Association  shop  should  never  be  sought 
by  blind  Jewish  men — that  such  work  has  not  often 
proved  a  God-send  and  a  blessing  to  many  who  would 
otherwise  have  dragged  out  their  days  without  interest 
and  without  employment,  to  the  great  detriment  of  them- 
selves and  their  families.  Yet  it  must  be  asserted  that 
where  intelligence  and  ambition  are  combined  with  fair 
health  and  some  small  measure  of  vision,  the  workshop 
does  not  offer  to  the  blind  Jewish  wage  earner  the  best 
means  for  lucrative  and  congenial  work.  There  will 
always  be  some  men  for  whom  handicraft  work  is  best 
suited  in  every  way  and  these  men  should  be  encouraged 
to  seek  training  and  employment  in  the  New  York 
Association  shop. 

Turning  from  a  study  of  the  wage  earning  oppor- 
tunities offered  by  employment  at  the  workshop,  it  may 
now  be  interesting  to  consider  the  opportunities  offered 
by  the  other  4  occupations  which  have  enrolled  about 
the  same  number  of  men. 

Let  us  first  examine  the  occupation  of  peddling.*  A 
study  of  our  table  shows  that  of  the  13  men  employed  as 
peddlers,  only  4  earn  $5.50  and  over  weekly,  the  earnings  of 


*  It  should  be  noted  that  those  blind  men  engaged  in  selling  matches, 
chewing  gum,  shoe  strings  and  other  kindred  articles,  though  calling  themselves 
peddlers,  have  not  been  included  in  this  group  but  have  rather  been  placed  where 
they  more  properly  belong,  with  those  blind  men  who  ask  alms  for  a  living. 
All  men  here  classed  as  peddlers  are  actually  engaged  in  selling  articles  for  which 
there  is  a  real  commercial  demand. 

58 


PROBLEMS   OF   EMPLOYMENT 

9  falling  below  this  scale.  The  lowness  of  these  figures  may 
be  partially  accounted  for  by  the  fact  that  most  of  the  men 
engaged  in  peddling  have  resorted  to  this  occupation  be- 
cause they  suffered  from  other  physical  handicaps  as  well  as 
from  blindness,  their  enfeebled  physical  condition  only  al- 
lowing them  to  work  most  irregularly.  Bearing  in  mind  this 
situation,  the  conclusion  must  therefore  be  reached  that 
in  spite  of  the  fact  that  a  majority  of  the  men  so  engaged 
are  able  to  earn  comparatively  little,  yet  peddling  is  an 
occupation  which  should  be  encouraged  for  certain  types 
of  blind  men — for  the  old,  for  the  feeble,  for  those  who 
find  it  impossible  to  carry  on  regular  employment. 

Charitable  agencies  have,  as  a  rule,  been  most  co- 
operative in  starting  blind  men  with  a  stock  of  goods 
suitable  for  peddling — too  often,  however,  regarding  their 
work  as  completed  when  the  stock  was  purchased  and 
the  blind  peddler  started  on  his  way.  Obviously  this  is 
not  sufTficient  assistance,  for  the  blind  man  often  needs 
supervision  in  his  work,  supervision  which  can  only  be 
supplied  by  some  one  who  is  in  close  touch  with  the 
situation — someone  to  whom  he  can  bring  the  many 
difftculties  which  he  meets  in  the  course  of  his  work. 

Coming  to  a  consideration  of  the  earning  opportunities 
offered  by  operating  a  news  stand,  the  outlook  becomes 
decidedly  more  encouraging.  Here  is  an  occupation 
eminently  fitted  for  a  blind  man,  one  which  offers  him 
in  most  cases,  a  decent  living,  in  some,  even  a  compara- 
tively good  one.  A  study  of  our  table  discloses  that  of 
the  10  men  operating  news  stands,  7  earn  $5.50  and  over 
weekly,  6  of  these  7  receiving  weekly  incomes  varying 
from  $5.50  to  $18. 

It  is  true  that  blind  men  operating  news  stands  must 
be  constantly  assisted  in  the  pursuit  of  their  duties  by 
some  sighted  relative,  wife  or  child,  so  that  this  occupa- 
tion is  not  open  to  all  blind  persons.  Yet  the  constitution 
of  the  family  is  often  such  that  this  situation  can  be 
easily  met. 

As  is  to  be  expected  licenses  for  operating  news 
stands  are  eagerly  sought  by  blind  men  and  women, 
such  licenses,  however,  being  extremely  difficult  to 
procure,    for   the    field    is   already   overcrowded,    a   long 

59 


CARE   AND   TREATMENT   OF   THE   JEWISH    BLIND 

waiting  list  attesting  the  eagerness  of  many  hundreds  of 
persons  to  obtain  these  much  coveted  permits.  Reahzing 
this  situation  the  suggestion  has  frequently  been  made 
that  licenses  be  granted  only  to  handicapped  persons, 
yet  that  such  effort  as  has  been  made  in  this  direction 
has  not  borne  definite  fruit  is  shown  by  the  fact  that  of 
the  104  men  of  working  age  under  consideration,  only 
10  have  thus  far  been  able  to  obtain  the  much  sought  for 
news  stands. 

Can  we  not  hope  to  better  this  situation?  Would  it 
not  be  possible,  by  a  concerted  effort  on  the  part  of  all 
those  interested  in  the  various  handicapped  classes,  to 
secure  from  the  proper  authorities  the  promise  to  grant 
at  least  a  large  percentage  of  these  licenses  to  those  un- 
fortunate persons,  who  by  reason  of  their  physical 
infirmities  can  not  hope  to  compete  on  equal  terms  with 
the  normal  wage-earner? 

It  is  such  an  opportunity  as  this  that  the  5  men  who 
are  engaged  in  selling  papers  on  the  street  without 
owning  a  news  stand  are  eagerly  awaiting.  Although 
2  of  the  blind  men  so  employed  have  been  able  to  earn 
$5.50  and  over  weekly  as  a  result  of  their  labors,  it  must 
be  realized  that  this  field  also  is  already  overcrowded  and 
that  it  therefore  cannot  be  depended  upon  to  solve  the 
economic  problems  of  any  considerable  number  of  men. 

Another  occupation  which  seems  to  offer  exceptional 
opportunities  for  blind  men  is  that  of  commission  agent 
— an  occupation  which  has  been  adopted  by  13  of  our 
group.  A  glance  at  the  table  does  not  at  first  sight  bring 
out  the  full  potentialities  of  this  employment,  the  earnings 
of  7  of  the  13  commission  agents  being  listed  as  unknown. 
Although  these  7  men  declined  to  make  a  definite  state- 
ment as  to  their  weekly  earnings,  at  least  5  of  them  were 
willing  to  state  that  they  made  a  comfortable  living  for 
themselves  and  their  families  by  the  pursuit  of  this 
occupation — a  statement  amply  borne  out  by  their 
surroundings  and  manner  of  living.* 

And,  as  might  be  expected,  this  occupation  has  at- 

*  It  must  be  noted  that  in  many  cases  the  blind  agent  finds  it  necessary 
to  engage  a  sighted  person  to  act  as  guide,  thus  decreasing  his  net  earnings. 
Earnings  here  given  represent  net  earnings,  payment  for  guides  having  been 
subtracted. 

60 


PROBLEMS   OF   EMPLOYMENT 

tracted  some  of  the  most  ambitious,  the  most  intelHgent, 
the  most  virile  of  the  bhnd  men  under  consideration,  for  it 
alone  of  all  the  occupations  already  considered  gives 
scope  for  that  mental  activity,  that  intelligence  and 
energy  which  are  qualities  strongly  characteristic  of  the 
Jew — qualities  which  he  does  not  lose  when  blindness  or 
defective  vision  prevents  him  from  following  the  trade 
or  occupation  for  which  he  had  been  trained  before  over- 
come by  this  physical  handicap. 

There  are  in  this  group  book  agents,  agents  for  tea 
and  coffee,  for  string  and  twine,  for  pianos,  for  insurance, 
and  for  various  other  commodities  for  w^hich  there  is  a 
real  and  continuous  demand. 

One  or  two  of  these  men  have  been  assisted  toward 
this  kind  of  work  by  philanthropic  agencies  which  have 
procured  a  small  clientele  to  start  them  on  their  way, 
but  most  of  those  engaged  in  this  occupation  have  been 
compelled  to  build  up  such  custom  as  they  enjoy  un- 
assisted, to  any  appreciable  degree,  by  outside  effort. 

It  cannot  too  often  be  reiterated  that  it  is  almost 
impossible  to  expect  a  blind  man,  friendless  and  without 
influence,  to  compete  with  normal  men  in  the  industrial 
world — that  for  these  men  aid  and  assistance  is  always 
desirable,  when  proffered  in  the  right  spirit  can  always 
be  accepted  without  loss  of  self-respect,  even  by  those 
whose  walk  of  life  has  never  hitherto  brought  them  in  con- 
tact w^ith  charitable  and  philanthropic  agencies.  To  help 
a  blind  man  to  gain  customers  for  an  article  which  has  a 
distinct  commercial  value  is  to  render  him  that  assistance 
which  is  his  rightful  due — assistance  which  he  bitterly 
complains  is  too  often  withheld  by  a  careless  and  disin- 
terested society,  unmindful  of  his  legitimate  claim  on  its 
sympathy  and  interest. 

And  so  we  find  that  for  the  Jewish  blind  men,  at  least 
for  those  with  special  intelligence  and  ability,  here  is  a 
field  which  would  well  repay  encouragement  and  stimu- 
lation— a  field  which  has,  up  to  the  present  time,  been 
cultivated  by  the  blind  man  unassisted  for  the  most 
part,  but  one  which  offers  great  possibilities  for  growth 
and  development,  could  organized  assistance  ol  the 
proper  sort  be  brought  into  play. 

61 


CARE   AND   TREATMENT   OF   THE   JEWISH    BLIND 

Although  of  course  begging  cannot  be  considered 
a  legitimate  occupation  even  for  a  totally  blind  and 
perhaps  otherwise  physically  handicapped  man,  it  has 
nevertheless  been  included  in  the  table  of  occupations 
because,  so  large  a  proportion  of  the  blind  men  considered 
having  turned  to  this  method  of  "earning  a  living,"  it 
seemed  of  interest  to  make  a  comparison  of  the  earning 
opportunities  offered  by  begging  for  alms  with  those  of 
legitimate  occupations  open  to  blind  men.  The  subject, 
however,  will  not  be  discussed  at  length  in  this  section, 
as  another  section  of  the  report  is  devoted  entirely  to  a 
study  of  this  question.*  It  will  be  sufficient  at  present 
to  call  attention  to  the  fact  that  3  of  the  12  beggars 
whose  earning  capacity  is  known  "earn"  $5.50  and  over 
weekly,  while  the  "earnings"  of  the  whole  group  compare 
favorably  with  those  of  several  other  occupations,  includ- 
ing peddling  and  work  at  the  New  York  Association  shop. 

Is  it  not  perhaps  natural,  therefore,  that  many  blind 
men,  discouraged  by  the  low  wages  offered  by  the 
legitimate  occupations  open  to  men  of  their  handicapped 
class,  often  turn  from  such  employment  in  disgust  and 
choose  in  preference  to  beg  alms  on  the  street,  claiming 
they  have  been  forced  into  this  occupation  because, 
try  as  they  would,  they  could  find  no  other  employment 
which  offered  possibilities  as  great. 

As  in  the  case  of  the  commission  agents  a  glance  at 
the  table  offers  very  little  information  as  to  the  earnings 
of  those  9  men  engaged  in  operating  their  own  shops  or 
stores,  the  earnings  of  6  of  this  group  being  listed  as 
unknown.  Although  exact  information  as  to  income  was 
not  obtainable  in  these  6  cases,  it  is,  however,  definitely 
known  that  5  of  these  men  are  making  a  comfortable  living 
for  themselves  and  their  families.  Considering  the  fact 
that  2  others  of  this  group  earn  $10  to  $12  and  $20  a 
week  respectively,  it  may  be  stated  that  of  the  9  men 
operating  their  own  business  at  least  7  are  financially 
independent.  This  situation,  however,  throws  no  definite 
light  on  the  business  opportunities  open  to  blind  men  in 
general,  for  a  majority  of  the  men  so  engaged  owned  and 


*  Section  VII.    Problems  of  Begging. 

62 


PROBLEMS   OF   EMPLOYMENT 

carried  on  their  own  businesses  before  blindness  and  are 
simply  keeping  on  with  the  work  with  the  redoubled 
assistance  of  their  families. 

Yet  does  not  the  fact  that  they  have  succeeded  in 
keeping  their  heads  above  water  without  outside  assist- 
ance point  the  way  which  the  community  might  follow 
in  an  effort  to  aid  certain  exceptional  blind  men  towards 
a  successful  business  career? 

The  difficulties  attending  such  a  course  are,  of  course, 
easily  recognized,  yet  the  blind  man  who  is  by  natural 
intelligence  and  business  experience  qualified  for  an 
undertaking  of  this  nature  has  a  right  to  expect  that  his 
call  on  the  interest  and  sympathy  of  those  concerned  in 
his  welfare  will  not  be  brushed  hastily  aside  on  the  mere 
assumption  that  no  blind  person  can  successfully  operate 
a  business  of  his  own. 

Aside  from  the  technical  and  professional  pursuits 
reserved  for  final  discussion  there  remain  the  three  occu- 
pations listed  as  office  boys  and  messengers,  clerks,  and 
janitors.  Here  attention  must  be  called  to  the  fact  that 
only  those  possessing  quite  a  fair  measure  of  vision  can 
enter  such  employments,  making  it  impractical  to  regard 
these  pursuits  as  open  to  any  appreciable  number  of 
blind  persons.  It  will,  therefore,  not  be  necessary  to 
discuss  these  three  occupations  in  detail. 

Now  what  are  the  opportunities  for  self  support  offered 
our  blind  group  by  work  in  technical  and  professional 
fields? 

During  the  past  few  years  so  much  has  been  written 
and  said  about  the  widening  opportunities  offered  blind 
persons  along  these  lines;  so  many  tales  have  been  told 
of  successful  musicians,  piano  tuners,  teachers,  telephone 
operators,  typists,  that  it  may  be  somewhat  surprising  to 
find  that  only  3  of  these  occupations  are  listed  on  our 
table  and  that  only  6  of  the  104  men  under  considera- 
tion have  entered  these  particular  fields. 

A  glance  at  the  table  shows  that  these  occupations 
are  comparatively  remunerative,  for  of  the  3  men  listed 
as  musicians  and  music  teachers,  1  earns  $6.50  to  $8 
weekly,  while  the  other  2,  whose  exact  earnings  were  not 
obtainable,  are  definitely  known  to  be  self-supporting. 

63 


CARE   AND   TREATMENT   OF   THE   JEWISH    BLIND 

Of  the  3  men  who  are  following  the  calling  of  piano 
tuning,  1  earns  $6.50  to  $8  weekly  while  the  earnings 
of  the  other  2  range  from  $10  to  $12  a  week. 

Nevertheless  it  is  perhaps  not  surprising  that  so  few 
of  the  blind  men  under  consideration  have  become 
music  teachers  and  musicians,  for  in  spite  of  the  often 
exaggerated  tales  of  their  well  wishers  and  friends,  it  is 
only  in  rare  individual  cases  that  persons  so  handicapped 
are  able  to  compete  successfully  with  sighted  persons 
similarly  engaged.  These  careers  must,  of  necessity,  be 
limited  to  men  and  women  of  unusual  musical  talent, 
who  have  had  opportunity  for  a  musical  education  since 
early  childhood.  Yet  even  persons  so  qualified  have  often 
been  doomed  to  gloomy  and  heart-breaking  failure  for 
the  field  is  already  overcrowded  and  presents  little  oppor- 
tunity for  successful  and  remunerative  employment. 

And  this  same  difficulty  faces  those  blind  persons 
who  desire  to  become  piano  tuners — a  career  which 
certainly  should  offer  unique  opportunities  to  the  blind 
man  fitted  by  ability  and  education  for  this  pursuit. 
Yet,  as  has  been  said,  only  3  of  the  104  blind  men  in  our 
group  are,  at  present,  listed  as  piano  tuners — this  in 
spite  of  the  fact  that  the  Jew  has  distinct  musical  talent 
and  that  excellent  opportunity  for  training  is  open  to  all 
blind  boys  and  girls  of  school  age  in  the  city,  either  at  the 
New  York  Institute  or  in  the  classes  for  the  blind  at  the 
New  York  Public  Schools. 

But  3  men  have  continued  the  pursuit  of  piano 
tuning,  yet  several  others  were  found  who,  with  high 
hopes,  after  their  graduation  from  school  or  institute  had 
embarked  on  this  congenial  career,  only  to  find  the 
field  already  so  overcrowded  and  themselves  so  dis- 
criminated against  on  account  of  their  handicap  that  they 
were  forced  to  give  up  this  pursuit  and  laboriously  to  fit 
themselves  for  another  career  less  congenial  and  less 
lucrative. 

Is  it  not  possible  for  the  community  to  improve  this 
situation?  Surely  an  organized  and  concerted  effort 
might  easily  be  made  to  enlighten  the  public  as  to  the 
ability  of  the  blind  man  to  enter  this  particular  field 
on  an  equal  footing  with  the  sighted  man,  appealing  to 

64 


PROBLEMS   OF   EMPLOYMENT 

them  to  give  preference  to  those  blind  piano  tuners  who 
have  acquired  the  necessary  technique  and  training. 

Examining  now  the  last  calling  listed  on  our  table, 
that  of  lawyer,  it  will  readily  be  seen  that  a  detailed 
discussion  of  this  profession,  adopted  by  3  of  our  group, 
would  be  of  little  practical  value  for  obviously  those 
who  feel  themselves  fitted,  in  spite  of  their  handicap,  to 
follow  this  career  must  be  prepared  to  do  so  without 
community  assistance. 

Conclusion. 

What  then  are  the  definite  conclusions  which  may 
be  drawn  from  this  detailed  analysis  of  the  industrial 
histories  of  the  104  blind  men  considered?  As  our  study 
has  clearly  revealed  that,  at  present,  the  existing  agencies 
are  not  prepared  to  meet  the  needs  of  the  situation;  as 
it  has  brought  to  light  the  fact  that  the  wages  of  the  blind 
persons  under  consideration  are  pitifully  small;  that  the 
blind  often  drift  into  overcrowded  employments  which 
offer  little  opportunity  for  development,  while  other  fields 
which  might  profitably  be  cultivated  are  left  untouched; 
that  many,  in  despair  of  earning  a  living  wage  at  regular 
employment  turn  to  begging  as  an  easier  and,  as  they 
view  it,  an  equally  self  respecting  method  of  gaining  a 
livelihood, — as  all  these  facts  have  been  revealed  by  our 
study,  it  is  clear  that  if  we  are  to  meet  the  situation 
adequately  the  formation  of  an  employment  bureau  for 
the  blind  is  a  first  and  imperative  duty. 

Individualization  must  be  the  keynote  of  such  a 
bureau,  for  obviously  it  will  not  be  successful  unless  the 
applicant's  character  and  ability  have  first  been  carefully 
studied,  his  aptitudes  and  personal  preferences  given  due 
consideration. 

To  this  Bureau  would  fall  the  important  task  of 
educating  the  public  regarding  its  duty  to  the  unfortunate 
class  here  considered,  impressing  on  it  the  full  meaning 
of  idleness  to  the  blind,  and  seeking  its  co-operation  in 
the  task  of  finding  them  suitable  employment. 

With  the  sincere  and  hearty  co-operation  of  the  public 
old  fields  might  be  broadened  and  developed;  new  fields 

65 


CARE   AND   TREATMENT   OF   THE   JEWISH    BLIND 

might  be  opened  and  cultivated.  By  organized  effort 
to  gain  customers  for  blind  men  and  women;  by  con- 
certed action  to  secure  for  them  monopolies  in  special 
industries  and  callings,  much  might  be  done  to  improve 
the  situation  of  those  who  are  at  present  engaged  single- 
handed  in  an  almost  superhuman  struggle  to  be  self- 
maintaining. 

Nor  should  the  needs  of  those  who  are  at  present  con- 
tent to  remain  idle  be  ignored.  By  demanding  that 
they,  too,  seek  suitable  employment  or  training  for  work, 
by  offering  them  the  necessary  aid  and  advice,  the  com- 
munity might  well  feel  that  they  were  meeting  the  needs 
of  a  situation  too  long  neglected  and  ignored. 


66 


V.     PROBLEMS   OF   RECREATION 


CARE   AND   TREATMENT   OF   THE   JEWISH    BLIND 


V.     PROBLEMS   OF   RECREATION 

The  importance  of  providing  special  opportunities 
for  recreation  and  diversion  for  those  unfortunate 
individuals  who,  because  of  their  handicap,  are  cut  off 
from  the  ordinary  social  opportunities  available  to  sighted 
persons  is  so  obvious  as  to  make  any  prolonged  dis- 
cussion of  this  need  wholly  unnecessary. 

What  are  the  existing  agencies  engaged  in  this  special 
field?  What  provisions  are  they  making  for  the  diversion 
of  the  group  here  considered?  What  are  the  special 
difficulties  in  the  way  of  making  these  provisions? 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  most  important  of  these 
agencies : 

New  York  Association  for  the  Blind 
New  York  Guild  for  the  Jewish  Blind 
Hebrew  Association  for  the  Blind 

All  of  these  agencies,  besides  other  activities,  are  engaged 
in  offering  special  facilities  to  meet  the  need  for  recreation 
and  diversion  of  the  blind,  each  however  approaching 
the  problem  from  a  different  angle.* 

The  headquarters  of  the  New  York  Association — the 
Light  House — serve  as  a  settlement,  where  classes  and 
clubs  offering  all  sorts  of  recreational  opportunities  are 
housed;  where  musicales,  dances  and  other  entertain- 
ments for  blind  men,  women,  and  children  are  held. 

From  the  Light  House  is  also  sent  a  staff  of  visiting 
teachers  qualified  to  instruct  in  various  occupations  those 
unable  or  unfitted  to  work  outside  their  homes,  thus 
helping  them  to  pass  away  many  a  weary  hour. 

But  a  mere  enumeration  of  the  various  activities 
carried  on  by  the  New  York  Association  is  in  itself  not 

*  Mention  must  also  be  made  of  the  activities  of  the  New  York  Chapter 
of  the  Council  of  Jewish  Women,  which  through  its  Committee  on  the  Blind 
conducts  monthly  entertainments  for  the  benefit  of  all  blind  children  attending 
the  public  schools,  regardless  of  race,  color  or  creed. 

The  fact  that  from  100  to  150  children  regularly  attend  these  affairs — held 
from  October  to  June — testifies  to  their  popularity. 

68 


PROBLEMS   OF   RECREATION 

significant.  The  question  of  prime  importance  for  us  is 
rather  how  these  activities  meet  the  needs  of  the 
Jewish  bhnd — the  particular  group  in  which  we  are 
interested. 

An  intensive  study  of  the  situation  revealed  the  fact 
that  although  much  is  being  done  by  this  organization  for 
the  recreation  of  the  Jewish  blind,  still  it  can  be  relied  on 
only  to  a  limited  extent  to  solve  this  problem. 

In  the  daily  industrial  classes  conducted  at  the  Light 
House  only  four  Jewish  women  are  employed,  while  only 
two  or  three  Jewish  women  attend  the  weekly  classes. 
Only  a  negligible  number  of  blind  Jewish  women  are 
visited  by  the  association's  home  teachers. 

As  far  as  the  purely  social  activities  of  the  Association 
are  concerned,  it  may  be  broadly  stated  that  the  older 
Jewish  men  and  women  do  not  to  any  appreciable  extent 
take  advantage  of  these  opportunities,  although  many 
of  the  younger  people  gladly  share  in  the  social  gatherings 
held  at  the  Light  House. 

The  explanation  of  this  situation  is  obvious.  If  we 
regard  the  Light  House  with  its  activities  as  a  settlement 
for  the  blind  and  remember  that  none  of  the  teachers  or 
group  leaders  there  speak  Yiddish,  it  can  easily  be 
realized  that,  for  the  most  part,  this  social  center  makes 
an  appeal  only  to  those  Jewish  persons  who  can  speak 
English  and  who  are  able  to  feel  themselves  at  home  in 
an  environment  quite  different  from  their  own. 

In  so  far  as  the  Jewish  children  are  concerned  how- 
ever, it  may  be  stated  with  emphasis  that  the  New  York 
Association,  through  its  clubs  and  classes,  its  facilities 
for  instruction,  diversion  and  recreation,  is  filling  a  vital 
need.  Here  the  problem  of  difference  of  language,  customs, 
and  ideas  does  not  arise  to  complicate  a  situation  already 
difficult  enough,  the  Jewish  children  being  able  to  accept 
the  advantages  offered  by  the  Association  on  an  equal 
footing  with  all  others.  It  is  true  that  objection  has  been 
made  in  some  quarters  to  the  fact  that  the  social  gather- 
ings for  the  children  at  the  Light  House  are  held  on 
Saturdays,  but  as  this  objection  was  not  voiced  either  by 
the  blind  children  or  their  parents  questioned  in  the 
course  of  this  survey,  it  can  hardly  be  regarded  as  serious. 

69 


CARE   AND   TREATMENT   OF    THE   JEWISH    BLIND 

Considering  next  the  contribution  of  the  New  York 
Guild  for  the  Jewish  BHnd  toward  the  solution  of  the 
problem  of  recreation,  it  is  apparent  that  this  agency, 
dealing  as  is  indicated  by  its  name  only  with  Jewish 
men  and  women,  is  in  a  position  to  satisfy  certain  needs 
of  this  particular  group — needs  necessarily  neglected  by  a 
non-sectarian  agency. 

To  what  extent,  then,  does  the  Guild  take  advantage 
of  its  peculiar  opportunity? 

The  recreational  activities  of  the  Guild  are  threefold, 
including  a  series  of  monthly  concerts  held  at  the  Edu- 
cational Alliance  from  October  to  May,  weekly  outings 
for  blind  children  during  the  summer  vacation,  and  the 
sending  of  a  limited  number  of  volunteer  friendly  visitors 
into  the  homes  of  its  clients. 

Most  of  the  older  men  and  women  visited  spoke  en- 
thusiastically of  the  monthly  concerts,  many  of  them, 
however,  bemoaning  the  fact  that  they  could  attend 
but  irregularly  because  of  their  inability  to  procure  the 
necessary  guides.  To  the  young  generation,  on  the  con- 
trary, it  was  apparent  that  these  concerts  do  not  make 
so  strong  an  appeal,  very  few  of  the  more  educated  young 
people  attending  the  musicales  with  any  degree  of 
regularity. 

The  outings  of  the  children  are  universally  popular, 
every  child  fortunate  enough  to  be  invited  to  these 
weekly  summer  excursions  hailing  the  invitation  with 
delight. 

The  appreciation  expressed  by  those  blind  men  and 
women  who  have  the  good  fortune  to  be  visited  regularly 
by  one  of  the  volunteers  associated  with  the  Guild  can 
hardly  be  exaggerated.  It  is  to  be  deplored,  however, 
that  the  Guild  has  only  been  able  to  enlist  the  services  of  a 
limited  number  of  "friendly  visitors"  so  that  it  is  impos- 
sible for  them  to  reach  more  than  a  very  small  proportion 
of  those  in  need  of  this  type  of  service.  This  situation  is 
fully  recognized  and  keenly  regretted  by  the  Guild  which, 
thoroughly  appreciating  the  nature  of  the  services  that 
volunteers  can  render  in  this  special  field,  hope  in  the 
course  of  time  further  to  develop  work  along  these  lines. 
No  other  existing  organization  is  so  well  fitted  as  is  the 

70 


PROBLEMS   OF   RECREATION 

Guild  for  such  a  task,  for  it  may  reasonably  be  assumed 
that  only  a  Jewish  agency,  organized  solely  for  the  benefit 
of  blind  men  and  women  of  this  faith,  can  undertake  this 
type  of  volunteer  service. 

What  are  the  opportunities  for  recreation  and  diver- 
sion offered  by  the  Hebrew  Association  for  the  Blind? 

Aside  from  the  semi-monthly  meetings  of  this  organi- 
zation, which  have  a  social  as  well  as  a  business  character, 
the  Association  undertakes  through  its  Committee  on 
Recreation  to  make  provisions  for  the  entertainment  of 
the  blind. 

This  Committee  regards  the  providing  of  guides, 
readers,  and  visitors  to  the  blind  as  its  special  function. 
Eager  as  is  this  Committee  to  extend  its  activities,  how- 
ever, its  services  have  up  to  the  present  time  been  ex- 
tremely limited,  owing  to  the  youth  of  the  organization 
and  to  its  inadequate  treasury. 

The  regular  monthly  club  meetings  of  the  Hebrew 
Association  are  well  attended,  being  regarded  by  many 
of  its  members  as  special  opportunities  for  entertainment 
and  diversion.  On  these  occasions  after  the  completion 
of  the  business  meeting,  entertainments  are  usually 
given  and  informal  gatherings  held. 

The  Hebrew  Association,  composed  as  it  is  almost 
entirely  of  blind  men  and  women,  may  well  feel  itself 
peculiarly  fitted  to  perform  certain  social  services  to  its 
own  members  as  well  as  to  other  Jewish  blind  persons 
not  included  in  its  registry,  thus  looking  forward  to  the 
time  when  an  increased  budget  will  make  it  possible  to 
extend  its  activities  along  the  lines  indicated. 

A  study  of  the  recreational  activities  offered  by  the 
three  organizations  discussed  has  therefore  disclosed 
the  fact  that,  important  as  is  their  work  in  the  field 
considered,  yet  up  to  the  present  time  only  the  surface 
of  this  work  has  been  scratched,  only  the  merest  beginning 
made  to  meet  the  exigencies  of  the  situation.  If  this 
situation  is  to  be  adequately  met,  the  work  thus  com- 
menced must  be  broadened  and  developed,  extended  and 
amplified. 

And  the  blind  men  and  women  themselves,  what  are 
their  views  on  this  all  important  question? 

71 


CARE  AND  TREATMENT  OF  THE  JEWISH  BLIND 

Inquiries  made  in  the  course  of  this  investigation 
brought  to  Hght  the  fact  that  aside  from  those  actively 
engaged  in  outside  occupations,  most  of  the  adults 
remain  at  home  day  after  day,  unoccupied  and  neglected, 
week  following  week  in  long  monotonous  succession.  To 
quote  the  exact  words  of  one  of  the  older  women  visited: 
"I  just  sit  alone  all  day  until  by  night  my  limbs  grow 
stiff  from  sitting." 

The  situation  with  regard  to  the  children  is  some- 
what better,  though  still  far  from  satisfactory.  Ignoring 
the  children  who  reside  either  in  the  Sunshine  Home  or 
in  the  New  York  Institute  for  the  Blind,  and  directing 
our  attention  solely  to  those  between  the  ages  of  6  and 
16  who  live  in  their  own  homes,  a  study  of  the  situation 
revealed  the  fact  that  in  a  majority  of  cases  these  children 
find  themselves  without  adequate  social  resources.  It  is 
true  that,  with  the  unavoidable  exception  of  a  few,  all 
those  in  this  age  group  attend  school  and  during  school 
hours  are  pleasantly  and  profitably  employed,  but  it  is 
equally  true  that  after  school  hours  most  of  these  boys 
and  girls  spend  their  time  in  dreary  idleness,  broken  only 
by  an  occasional  outing  or  at  best  by  a  periodic  gathering. 

The  presentation  of  a  number  of  cases,  typical  of 
scores  of  others  which  could  be  cited,  will  perhaps  not 
only  serve  to  emphasize  the  needs  of  the  situation,  but 
may  at  the  same  time  suggest  a  remedy  calculated  to 
meet  these  needs. 

The  following  histories  of  two  aged  blind  persons  will, 
it  is  hoped,  be  illuminating: 

Mr.  B.,  a  totally  blind  man  nearly  70  years,  old  lives 
with  his  wife  and  grown  son.  Owing  to  the  inadequacy  of 
the  son's  earnings  Mrs.  B.  is  compelled  to  contribute  to  the 
family  income  by  taking  in  boarders.  Under  these  circum- 
stances the  busy  wife,  in  spite  of  her  devotion  to  her  unfor- 
tunate husband,  finds  it  impossible  to  offer  him  the  companion- 
ship he  so  sorely  craves. 

Mr.  B.  burst  into  tears  when  he  described  his  idle,  dreary 
days,  ending  his  tale  wistfully  with  the  pathetic  plea  that  the 
community  make  some  provision  to  meet  needs  such  as  his: 

"Oh,  can't  you  make  the  rich  people  of  New  York  provide 
some  kind  of  amusement  for  us  poor  old  blind  men  and  women, 
who  have  nothing  to  do  all  day  but  sit  at  home  and  think?" 

72 


PROBLEMS   OF   RECREATION 

Never  was  a  request  made  with  deeper  longing  and  more 
heart-rending  pathos. 

Mrs.  A.,  an  intelHgent  EngHsh  widow  without  children 
or  relatives  in  this  country,  boards  with  strangers,  a  relief 
society  making  the  necessary  allowance  for  her  support. 
Although  deeply  grateful  to  this  organization  for  the  aid  given 
her,  and  devoted  to  the  society's  visitor,  Mrs.  A.  complains 
of  the  monotomy  of  her  existence,  stating  that  when  left  alone 
she  often  becomes  morbid  and  despondent. 

The  old  woman  gasped  with  surprise  and  delight  when 
told  of  the  existence  of  an  organization  which  offers  oppor- 
tunities for  diversion  and  amusement  to  blind  men,  women,  and 
children  at  a  "club  house"  where  periodic  gatherings  are  held. 

This  delight  was  short  lived,  however,  for  soon  realizing 
the  fact  that  she  had  no  one  to  take  her  to  these  meetings, 
Mrs.  A.  sadly  expressed  her  regret  at  the  impossibility  of  visiting 
the  Light  House,  which  she  so  ardently  yearned  to  "see." 

No  less  tragic  are  the  histories  of  the  two  following 
young  girls: 

Anna  K.  is  a  poor  Russian  who  is  not  only  blind,  but  who 
suffers  from  tuberculosis  and  heart  trouble  as  well.  Practically 
bed-ridden  since  the  age  of  six,  this  girl,  now  nineteen  years  old, 
seems  to  the  casual  visitor  but  a  stupid  child.  When  the 
conditions  of  her  life,  however,  have  been  studied,  the  reason 
for  such  an  erroneous  impression  at  once  becomes  apparent. 

An  only  child,  living  in  a  poverty  stricken  home  on  the 
East  Side  with  her  ignorant,  hard  working  parents,  visited  only 
by  a  trained  nurse  from  the  Henry  Street  Settlement,  this 
girl's  horizon  is  narrow  indeed!  No  one  has  tried  to  open  up 
to  her  the  world  of  books — no  one  has  attempted  to  reveal  to 
her  the  real  world  outside.  All  day  long  she  rests  on  her  cot — 
listless  and  forlorn — denied  by  a  thoughtless  community  the 
social  heritage  which  she  and  her  helpless  parents  are  too 
ignorant  to  claim. 

Esther  F.,  15  years  old,  lives  with  her  parents  and  younger 
brothers  and  sisters.  A  regular  attendant  of  a  class  for  the 
blind  at  Public  School,  the  young  girl  boasts  of  the  fact  that  she 
is  "one  of  the  fastest  blind  readers  in  New  York." 

Bright,  ambitious,  and  passionately  fond  of  reading,  Esther 
expressed  great  regret  that  she  had  not  been  able  to  secure  a 
book  (in  embossed  print)  from  the  Public  Library  in  several 
months.  Her  explanation  of  the  situation  was  pathetic. 
Unfortunately  a  younger  sister  had  torn  one  of  the  last  books 
sent  her,  and  though  Esther  realized  the  matter  would  be 
adjusted  could  she  but  tell  her  tale  to  the  "sympathetic  lady 

73 


CARE    AND    TREATMENT    OF    THE    JEWISH    BLIND 

at  the  big  library,"  she  found  such  a  meeting  impossible.  No 
one  in  the  busy  family  could  take  the  necessary  time  to  accom- 
pany her,  and  to  go  alone  was,  of  course-,  out  of  the  question. 
And  so  her  greatest  diversion — reading  books  with  her  "ten 
eyes" — was  denied  this  little  unfortunate. 

The  need  for  diversion  by  those  in  the  youngest  group 
is  well  illustrated  in  the  following  two  cases: 

Minnie  B.,  a  blind  girl  12  years  old,  spends  her  free  hours 
after  school  in  lonely  idleness. 

Not  long  ago  Minnie's  sister  started  to  work,  thus  finding 
it  no  longer  possible  to  take  the  little  blind  girl  to  the  New  York 
Association's  headquarters,  where  she  had  received  music 
lessons  regularly.  With  longing  in  her  voice  little  Minnie 
spoke  of  the  lessons  previously  enjoyed. 

"I'm  only  happy  when  I  play,"  she  said,  "for  then  I  forget 
everything.  Now  there's  nothing  left  to  do  but  sit  and  wait 
till  bed  time  comes." 

Philip  S.  is  only  7  years  old,  the  youngest  of  a  large  family 
of  children.  When  asked  how  the  little  boy  spent  his  free  hours, 
the  mother  explained  that  he  usually  slept,  and  then  added 
"but  at  night,  of  course,  he  nearly  always  stays  awake." 

Ignorant  and  weak,  the  poor  woman  admitted  that  she 
could  not  influence  Philip's  older  brothers  and  sisters  to  let 
him  join  in  their  play,  and  as  she  was  unfamiliar  with  any  of 
the  resources  provided  by  the  community  to  meet  the  little 
blind  boy's  needs,  she  saw  no  way  out  of  the  situation. 

"I  know  something  should  be  done,"  she  said,  "but  who 
will  help  me  to  find  the  way?" 


Conclusion 

Bearing  in  mind  the  histories  just  presented,  as  well 
as  the  situation  previously  discussed,  is  the  way  perhaps 
pointed  toward  the  solution  we  are  seeking? 

When  questioned  as  to  their  most  ardent  desire  along 
recreational  lines,  all  those  visited — old  and  young, 
foreign-born  and  native,  educated  and  uneducated — 
replied  in  much  the  same  strain.  "Some  one  to  take  me 
out;"  "Some  one  to  read  to  me;"  "Some  one  to  talk 
to  me" — some  one  to  help  break  the  monotony  of  a 
dreary  existence. 

Many  of  those  who  thus  expressed  themselves  are 
already  in  touch  with  existing  agencies,  yet  they  feel  the 

74 


PROBLEMS   OF    RECREATION 

need  for  that  personal  service  and  attention  which  only 
a  private  individual  can  offer, 

A  number  of  those  not  in  touch  with  these  agencies 
expressed  a  desire  for  a  "friendly  visitor,"  who  would 
not  only  be  willing  to  provide  in  a  personal  way  oppor- 
tunities for  diversion,  but  who  would  at  the  same  time 
make  it  possible  for  them  to  avail  themselves  of  the 
existing  opportunities  offered  by  the  various  agencies. 

The  efforts  of  these  friendly  visitors  would,  of  course, 
not  be  confined  to  the  providing  of  social  and  recreational 
activities  for  those  under  their  care,  but  would  extend 
in  other  directions  as  well,  each  volunteer  visitor  holding 
himself  responsible  for  the  general  welfare  of  his  blind 
protege. 

Those  whose  lives  are  filled  with  ordinary  duties  and 
pleasures  can  scarcely  picture  the  peculiar  isolation  of 
most  blind  persons — their  absolute  dependence  on  their 
^ore  fortunate  fellow-beings  for  all  that  makes  life  dear. 
Unhappily  in  many  cases  it  is  impossible  for  them  to  rely 
on  the  busy  members  of  their  own  families  to  give  them 
the  required  attention,  with  the  result  that  too  often 
they  are  forced  to  remain  at  home  idle  and  neglected. 
Not  until  every  blind  man,  woman,  and  child  is  provided 
with  a  sighted  "friend" — willing  and  eager  to  give  him 
the  necessary  care  and  attention,  ready  and  anxious 
to  serve  him  in  a  personal  and  intimate  manner — can  the 
community  at  large  feel  satisfied  that  the  needs  of  this 
unfortunate  group  are  in  truth  being  adequately  met. 


75 


VI.     INSTITUTIONAL   PROBLEMS 


CARE   AND   TREATMENT   OF   THE   JEWISH    BLIND 


VI.     INSTITUTIONAL   PROBLEMS 

The  institutional  problem  of  the  Jewish  blind  is 
twofold:  the  care  and  education  of  blind  babies  and 
children,  and  the  care  and  shelter  of  aged  blind  men  and 
women  whose  own  families  are  not  able  or  willing  to  give 
them  necessary  or  adequate  attention. 

A.     Institutional  Problems  Relating  to  Blind  Children 

It  may  be  briefly  stated  that  as  concerns  the  first 
problem — the  institutional  care  and  education  of  blind 
children — New  York  City  is  very  fortunately  situated, 
for  it  can  be  emphatically  asserted  that  unusual  edu- 
cational facilities  and  adequate  institutional  care  are 
at  the  doors  of  every  blind  child  of  New  York — normal 
but  for  this  one  defect. 

For  those  children  who  do  not  require  institutional 
care,  the  blind  classes  of  the  Public  Schools  of  the  city, 
yearly  improving  in  facilities  for  instruction,  offer  an 
education  to  every  blind  boy  and  girl  of  school  age ;  while 
for  those  under  school  age  and  for  those  older  children  who 
need  or  desire  institutional  care  and  education,  the  Sun- 
shine Home  for  Blind  Babies,  the  New  York  Institute  for 
the  Education  of  the  Blind,  and  the  State  School  at 
Batavia  furnish  opportunities  which,  while  capable  of 
improvement,  compare  most  favorably  with  those  offered 
by  similar  institutions  in  other  cities  and  countries. 

It  has  been  said  earlier  in  this  report  that  educational 
and  institutional  problems  of  blind  Jewish  children 
cannot  be  separated  from  those  of  the  other  blind  children 
of  the  city;  that  these  problems  are  of  such  a  nature 
that  only  the  community  as  a  whole,  all  working  together, 
can  solve  them  adequately  and  democratically. 

This  view  of  the  situation  is  not,  however,  shared 
by  a  large  group  of  Jewish  people  deeply  interested  in  the 
care    and    education    of    blind    Jewish    children.      It   is, 

78 


INSTITUTIONAL    PROBLEMS 

indeed,  the  present  aim  and  endeavor  of  this  group  to 
separate  the  bhnd  Jewish  children  from  their  non-Jewish 
comrades,  placing  them  in  a  strictly  Jewish  institution 
where  they  will  have  the  benefit  of  an  education  along 
Jewish  lines  such  as  the  community  offers  to  the  Jewish 
orphan  and  the  Jewish  delinquent. 

Aside  from  objections  of  a  religious  nature,  this  group 
offers  other  objections  to  the  existing  situation.  Criticism 
is  made  by  them  of  the  failure  of  the  New  York  Institute 
for  the  Blind  to  care  for  its  students  over  week  ends  and 
during  the  three  vacation  months.  These  persons  con- 
tend that  the  failure  to  make  adequate  provisions  of  this 
nature  often  works  untold  hardship  on  parents  whose 
burdens  are  already  unbearable,  and  that  some  of  the 
homes  to  which  the  children  are  returned  are  unfit  to 
receive  them.  They  therefore  assert  it  is  a  necessity 
to  build  an  institution  open  throughout  the  year  in 
order  to  obviate  these  difficulties — at  least  as  far  as  the 
Jewish  children  are  concerned. 

As  a  further  argument  in  favor  of  the  erection  of  a 
Jewish  institution,  this  same  group  asserts  that  there  are 
many  children  at  present  in  their  own  homes,  who  are 
not  receiving  proper  care  and  education  and  who  should, 
therefore,  be  taken  from  these  homes  and  placed  in  an 
institution  where  adequate  care  and  attention  could  be 
given  their  physical  and  mental  needs.  Believing  that 
the  parents  of  many  of  these  children  would  gladly  place 
them  in  a  Jewish  home,  although  they  would  refuse  to 
allow  them  to  enter  a  nori-Jewish  institution,  this  group 
feels  it  incumbent  to  offer  such  parents  the  opportunity 
of  placing  their  boys  and  girls  in  a  Jewish  institution  for 
the  blind. 

It  has  been  one  of  the  principal  objects  of  this  survey 
to  study  thoroughly  the  question  of  a  separate  Jewish 
institution — while  in  no  way  questioning  the  desirability 
of  educating  Jewish  children  in  the  Jewish  faith,  to  look 
at  the  matter  from  all  angles  and  to  determine,  after  an 
intensive  study  of  the  whole  situation,  just  what  would 
be  gained  by  the  establishment  of  such  a  Home  and  just 
what  would  be  lost. 

Several  questions  will  immediately  arise  in  the  minds 

79 


CARE   AND   TREATMENT   OF   THE   JEWISH    BLIND 

of  all  those  interested  in  this  project:  How  many  Jewish 
children  are  there  who  would  fall  under  the  provisions 
of  the  new  institution?  Where  are  these  children  now 
situated — in  their  own  homes,  or  in  the  institutions  al- 
ready established  for  their  care?  If  in  their  own  homes, 
what  are  the  conditions  under  which  they  are  living?  If 
in  institutions,  what  is  their  own  and  their  parents' 
opinion  of  the  care  and  treatment  they  are  receiving,  and 
how  do  these  people  who  are  most  concerned  view  the 
idea  of  a  Jewish  home  for  Jewish  children? 

An  intensive  survey  of  the  situation  which  included 
a  visit  to  the  home  of  every  blind  Jewish  child  in 
Manhattan  and  the  Bronx  revealed  the  following 
facts : 

There  are  at  present  47  blind  Jewish  children 
under  sixteen  years  of  age  in  Manhattan  and  the  Bronx, 
30  of  whom  are  in  their  own  homes,  7  in  the  Sunshine 
Home,  and  10  in  the  New  York  Institute  for  the  Blind. 
Besides  these  there  are  6  young  people  between  the 
ages  of  sixteen  and  twenty-one,  who  are  receiving  a  higher 
education  at  this  latter  institution. 

Of  the  30  in  their  own  homes,  it  may  be  briefly  stated 
that  9  are  in  homes  which  are  beyond  reproach,  the 
children  being  well  cared  for  by  their  own  families, 
attending  the  blind  classes  of  the  Public  Schools,  taking 
part  in  all  the  activities  open  to  children  at  the  New  York 
Association  for  the  Blind — in  short  leading  lives  which 
under  the  circumstances  are  being  made  as  nearly  normal 
as  possible. 

Another  nearly  similar  group  is  composed  of  11 
children  coming  from  fairly  good  homes,  attending  the 
proper  classes  at  school,  in  touch  with  several  agencies 
for  the  blind,  but  still  a  group  which,  on  account  of  the 
ignorance  of  the  mother,  or  the  fact  that  the  parents  are 
foreigners  and  unaccustomed  to  our  ways,  needs  advice 
and  help  as  to  medical  treatment,  recreation,  vocational 
guidance,  and  a  variety  of  problems  arising  in  their 
daily  lives. 

Of  the  remaining  10,  3  are  subnormal  and  would 
therefore  not  be  eligible  for  any  institution  for  the 
normal   blind,   while  7  others  apparently  require  insti- 

80 


INSTITUTIONAL    PROBLEMS 

tutional  care — care  which  could,  however,  easily  be  found 
for  them  at  the  Sunshine  Home  or  at  the  New  York 
Institute  for  the  Blind. 

An  analysis  of  the  situation  of  the  institutional 
children  revealed  the  fact  that  of  the  21  children  and 
young  people  at  present  in  schools  for  the  blind,  only  6 
would  prefer  being  in  a  Jewish  institution,  while  3  others 
would  gladly  avail  themselves  of  such  a  home  during 
the  summer  months. 

There  remains,  then,  the  chief  argument  of  those  who 
wish  to  erect  a  new  institution — the  argument  that 
whether  the  parents  of  the  children  or  the  children  them- 
selves realize  it,  a  definite  wrong  is  being  committed  by 
depriving  these  boys  and  girls  of  the  privileges  of  life  in 
a  strictly  Jewish  institution. 

There  are  many  who  will  sympathize  deeply  with 
this  group  in  its  desire  to  impress  Judaism,  through  a 
Jewish  education,  strongly  on  its  little  blind  proteges. 
There  are  many  who  deeply  regret  evidences  of  religious 
laxness  on  the  part  of  Jewish  children  brought  up  in 
non-sectarian  institutions.  Yet  even  to  those  who 
sympathize  in  theory  with  this  desire  to  give  the  blind 
Jewish  children  all  the  heritage  of  their  race,  the  thought 
must  come:  Is  it  wise — is  it  good  social  policy  to  build  an 
institution,  a  building  which  will  cost  thousands  to  erect 
and  correspondingly  large  sums  to  maintain,  for  the 
benefit  of  such  a  small  group  of  children  as  would  be 
eligible  to  the  new  Jewish  home? 

Must  we  not  also  consider  the  fact  that  the  number  of 
blind  persons,  especially  of  persons  blinded  in  early  life, 
is  constantly  decreasing,  so  that  we  may,  without  too 
much  optimism,  look  forward  to  the  day  when  the  need 
for  institutional  care  for  this  class  of  defective  children 
will  be  almost  eliminated?* 


*  This  point  of  view  was  especially  emphasized  to  the  investigators  of  this 
study  by  Dr.  Thorne  of  the  Bureau  of  Child  Hygiene.  Although  all  cases  of 
inflammation  of  eyes  or  blindness  of  infants  must  be  reported  to  this  Bureau 
by  the  attending  doctor  or  midwife,  there  was  in  Dec.  1916  not  one  such  case  there 
registered — a  fair  basis  for  Dr.  Thome's  statement  that  blindness  amongst  child- 
ren is  a  diminishing  problem.  This  result  has  been  brought  about  by  the  great 
amount  of  preventive  work  undertaken  during  the  past  few  years — work  which 
embraces  the  fields  of  medicine,  education,  and  legislation. 

81 


CARE  AND  TREATMENT   OF   THE  JEWISH   BLIND 

In  consideration  of  this  decrease  of  blindness,  several 
experts  interested  in  this  problem  consulted  during  the 
course  of  this  investigation  stated  that  in  their  opinion 
it  would  be  a  great  mistake  to  build  an  institution  for 
blind  Jewish  children.  Not  only  are  the  present  provisions 
in  New  York  City  more  than  ample  to  meet  all  the  needs 
of  the  situation,  but  the  constant  decrease  of  the  dis- 
ability, together  with  the  better  understanding  of  how  to 
care  for  blind  children  in  their  own  homes  in  co-operation 
with  the  Public  Schools  and  other  institutions  and 
agencies  will,  according  to  these  experts,  in  the  not  too 
distant  future  make  an  institution  for  blind  children  a 
thing  of  the  past — a  last  resort  only  to  be  used  in  a  com- 
paratively small  number  of  cases. 

It  would  be  wise,  while  remembering  the  advantages 
that  would  accrue  to  the  Jewish  children  by  life  in  a 
Jewish  institution — even  could  the  minimum  number 
necessary  for  such  an  institution  be  gathered  together — 
to  remember  also  the  disadvantages  that  would  arise. 
In  the  case  of  the  children  eligible  to  the  New  York 
Institute  they  are  at  once  perceptible.  Richly  endowed 
financially,  ably  administered,  with  the  benefits  of  half  a 
century's  experience  in  the  work  of  educating  blind 
children,  the  New  York  Institute,  though  far  from  per- 
fect, stands  amongst  the  three  or  four  most  prominent 
institutions  for  the  blind  in  this  country.  Can  it  be 
thought  that  a  strictly  Jewish  home  could  soon  hope  to 
reach  the  standard  set  by  this  institution?  Would  it  not 
be  depriving  the  Jewish  children  of  a  great,  a  fundamental 
right — the  right  to  receive  the  best  education  the  com- 
munity affords — to  take  them  out  of  this  institution,  in 
order  to  place  them  in  a  small  Jewish  home  which  in  the 
very  nature  of  things  could  never  hope  to  reach  the 
standard  set  by  the  New  York  Institute? 

But  those  who  wish  to  erect  a  new  institution  have 
asserted  that  the  prospective  home  is  primarily  designed 
for  younger  children,  for  children  not  eligible  to  the 
New  York  Institute.  Setting  aside  the  fact  that  the 
Sunshine  Home,  to  which  these  children  are  eligible,  has 
reached  a  standard  of  excellence  which  a  very  small 
institution  could  hardly  hope  to  attain,  we  may  again 

82 


INSTITUTIONAL   PROBLEMS 

recall  the  fact  that  there  are  only  15  such  children  known 
to  any  agency  in  New  York,  and  that  of  these  15  only  7 
have  found  it  necessary  to  seek  institutional  care.  Even 
if  this  number  were  increased  by  adding  all  the  blind 
Jewish  children  under  eight  years  of  age  in  Greater  New 
York,  the  number  would  never  be  sufficiently  large  for 
the  erection  of  a  Home  which  could  hope  to  reach  the 
standards  set  by  institutions  which  have  the  whole  blind 
population  from  which  to  gather  their  inmates. 

In  a  word,  the  problem  of  the  care  and  education  of 
blind  children  in  New  York  City  is  not  extensive  enough 
to  be  subdivided  along  racial  and  religious  lines.  We  may 
sympathize  with  the  desire  for  a  Jewish  education  for  all, 
while  regretfully  acknowledging  that,  in  this  particular 
case,  it  is  not  a  wise  nor  a  feasible  policy  to  pursue. 

Is  there  then  nothing  that  can  be  done  to  better  the 
situation,  to  bring  Judaism  as  a  potent  force  more  directly 
into  the  lives  of  the  blind  Jewish  children  of  New  York? 

We  answer  emphatically  *'Yes."  The  way  has  already 
been  pointed.  Through  the  efforts  of  a  Jewish  agency 
interested  in  this  problem  and  the  willing  co-operation 
of  those  in  authority  at  the  Institute,  a  teacher  has 
recently  been  sent  to  the  School  who  gives  religious  in- 
struction to  the  Jewish  inmates.  That  this  action  has 
not  been  followed  by  a  similar  undertaking  in  regard  to 
the  Sunshine  Home  is  not  the  fault  of  those  in  charge  of 
the  Brooklyn  Institution,  for  when  broached  on  the 
subject  they  declared  themselves  eager  to  co-operate 
not  only  in  this  manner  but  in  other  ways  as  well.  They 
even  expressed  their  willingness  to  allow  such  of  their 
charges  as  were  old  enough  to  attend  a  synagogue  under 
the  guardianship  of  a  Jewish  volunteer  visitor,  should 
such  a  plan  be  deemed  feasible. 

There  is  every  reason  to  believe  that  the  New  York 
Institute  would  be  willing  to  co-operate  further  in  an 
effort  to  meet  the  peculiar  needs  of  its  Jewish  inmates. 
By  calling  the  attention  of  those  in  authority  to  the 
various  complaints  of  the  Jewish  families,  special  adjust- 
ments might  be  made  to  meet  the  situation.  For  example, 
permission  might  be  granted  Jewish  children  to  return 
to  their  homes  during  Jewish  holidays,  thereby  eliminating 

83 


CARE  AND  TREATMENT  OF  THE  JEWISH  BLIND 

one  objection  to  life  in  a  non-sectarian  institution.  Other 
justifiable  complaints  would  probably  be  met  in  the 
most  liberal  manner,  were  those  in  authority  properly 
approached. 

Sincere  and  hearty  co-operation  with  existing  insti- 
tutions for  blind  children  is  one  way  of  improving  the 
situation.  Are  there  no  others?  Why  could  not  a 
special  effort  be  made  to  come  in  touch  with  the  young 
students  during  their  week-end  holidays  and  then  in  some 
manner  attempt  to  arouse  and  stimulate  their  interest  in 
Judaism?  Difficulties  there  might  be  in  this  effort,  but 
no  insuperable  ones. 

As  for  those  few  children  at  present  at  the  New  York 
Institute  who  ought  to  be  receiving  institutional  care 
during  the  summer  months,  would  it  not  be  possible  to 
arrange  for  them  a  summer  camp  under  a  trained  teacher, 
where  they  could  enjoy  the  needed  care  and  instruction, 
together  with  the  added  delights  and  benefits  of  country 
life?  This  would  of  course  entail  considerable  expense, 
but  far  less  than  would  be  involved  in  the  building  and 
maintenance  of  a  separate  institution. 

And  for  those  children  in  their  own  homes  who  need 
institutional  care,  but  whose  parents  through  ignorance, 
carelessness  or  prejudice,  have  refused  to  allow  them  to 
take  advantage  of  the  available  facilities,  much  might 
be  done  by  personal  effort  directed  toward  showing  these 
parents  the  dangers  involved  in  an  attitude  which,  if 
persisted  in,  must  eventually  result  in  untold  harm  and 
misery  to  all  concerned. 

Conclusion 

An  analysis  of  the  situation  must,  we  hope,  lead  to 
the  conclusion  that  all  the  elements  for  successful  care 
and  instruction  of  blind  Jewish  children  already  exist 
in  New  York  City.  Is  it  not  now  the  duty  of  those 
interested  in  these  small  unfortunates  not  to  build  a  new 
institution  for  their  benefit,  but  to  co-ordinate  the 
existing  resources,  to  co-operate  with  established  insti- 
tutions and  agencies,  occasionally  filling  out  a  gap  when 
this  is  found  to  be  necessary?     In  this  manner  and  in 

84 


INSTITUTIONAL   PROBLEMS 

this  manner  alone  can  they  feel  that  they  are  meeting 
to  the  fullest  extent  their  responsibilities  toward  the 
blind  Jewish  children  of  New  York  City. 

B.    Institutional  Problems  Relating  to  the  Aged  Blind 

The  situation  with  regard  to  the  care  and  shelter  of 
the  indigent  aged  blind  is  at  once  encouraging  and  dis- 
couraging— encouraging  because  the  community  already 
recognizes  the  need  for  increased  institutional  facilities 
for  all  aged  persons;  discouraging  because  of  the  failure 
of  this  same  community  to  realize  the  necessity  of 
adapting  Homes  for  the  Aged  to  meet  the  peculiar  needs 
of  their  blind  inmates. 

What  are  the  existing  institutions  which  offer  shelter 
to  the  Aged  Blind?  What  is  the  number  of  their  blind 
inmates?  A  glance  at  the  accompanying  table  will 
furnish  the  desired  information. 

Homes  for  the  Aged  Open  to  the  Jewish  Blind,  Together 

WITH  the  Number  of  Jewish  Blind  Residing  in 

EACH  ON  January  1,  1917. 

Name  of  Institution  Number  of  Inmates 

Men 

Home  for  Aged  and  Infirm  Hebrews  ....     12 

Home  of  the  Daughters  of  Jacob 9 

*City  Home  for  the  Aged 5 

Home  of  the  Daughters  of  Israel 1 

Home  for  the  Aged  and  Infirm  (I.O.B.B.).       1 

Home  of  the  Sons  and  Daughters  of  Israel 

*Isabella  Heimath 

*Home  of  the  Society  for  the  Relief  of  the 

Destitute  Blind 1 


Women 

Total 

11 

23 

9 

18 

1 

6 

3 

4 

1 

1 

1 

Total 29  26  55 

*  Homes  designated  with  asterisks  are  non-sectarian  institutions;  others 
not  so  designated  are  Jewish  institutions.  All  institutions  listed,  except  the 
last  one,  are  for  sighted  as  well  as  blind  aged  men  and  women. 

An  examination  of  this  tabic  reveals  the  lact  that  of 
the  127  Jewish  blind  men  and  women  in  Manhattan 
and  the  Bronx  on  January  1st,  1917,  GO  years  of  age  and 

85 


CARE   AND   TREATMENT   OF   THE   JEWISH    BLIND 

over,  55  were  receiving  institutional  care,  29  men  and 
26  women.* 

Yet  the  question  of  institutional  care  for  the  aged 
blind  concerns  not  only  the  55  blind  men  and  women 
who  have  already  found  shelter  in  Homes  for  the  Aged, 
but  is  also  of  interest  to  many  others  who  have  not  yet 
sought  entrance  into  an  institution.  Visits  to  the  homes 
of  all  the  blind  Jewish  men  and  women  60  years  and 
over,  coming  within  the  scope  of  this  survey,  revealed  the 
fact  that  many  such  persons  were  living  under  circum- 
stances which  did  not  permit  their  receiving  the  care 
and  attention  demanded  by  their  unfortunate  condition. 
Although  a  few  of  the  men  and  women  so  situated  ex- 
pressed their  unwillingness  to  accept  the  necessary  insti- 
tutional care,  preferring  to  remain  at  home  even  under 
the  most  deplorable  conditions,  yet  a  majority  declared 
themselves  not  only  willing  but  eager  to  enter  a  suitable 
Home. 

Can  we  depend  on  the  existing  institutions  to  accept 
all  the  aged  blind  at  present  in  need  of  care  and  shelter? 
That  the  capacity  of  these  institutions  is  not  adequate  to 
meet  the  needs  of  the  situation  was  brought  out  clearly 
by  questioning  the  superintendents  of  the  existing  Homes 
regarding  their  ability  to  accept  new  applicants  for 
admission.  All  those  approached  replied  that  the 
institutions  which  they  directed  were  filled  to  capacity, 
five  of  them  adding  that  there  were  long  lists  of  persons — 
both  sighted  and  blind — waiting  to  enter,  f 

Yet  the  situation  is  encouraging  when  it  is  noted 
that  an  attempt  is  already  being  made  by  a  Home  for 
the  Aged  to  enlarge  its  facilities  by  rebuilding.  This 
Home,  whose  capacity  is  at  present  200,  has  recently 
laid  the  corner  stone  of  a  new  building  which  when 
completed  will  accommodate  600  inmates.  Fortunately, 
those  who  will  direct  the  policy  of  the  new  institution 
have  already  expressed  their  intention  to  give  preference 


*  This  number  does  not  include  several  blind  Jewish  inmates  of  Manhattan 
State  Hospital  for  the  Insane. 

t  In  this  connection  it  must  be  noted  that  frequently  blind  persons  awaiting 
entrance  into  institutions  for  the  Aged  find  themselves  at  a  decided  disadvantage, 
as  unfortunately  they  are  often  discriminated  against  in  favor  of  those  able 
to  see. 

86 


INSTITUTIONAL    PROBLEMS 

to  blind  applicants,  realizing  that  institutional  facilities 
for  the  care  of  this  handicapped  class  arc  even  less 
adequate  than  are  institutional  facilities  for  the  care  of 
the  aged  sighted. 

Should  the  erection  of  this  new  Home  not  suffice  to 
meet  the  needs  of  the  situation,  additional  provisions  for 
the  care  and  shelter  of  the  aged  blind  can  be  secured  either 
by  further  adding  to  the  number  of  existing  institutions 
or  by  enlarging  those  already  erected. 

While  the  erection  of  new  Homes  for  indigent  aged 
persons  in  so  far  as  they  are  needed  is  warmly  advo- 
cated, the  erection  of  new  institutions  for  the  special 
shelter  of  the  aged  blind  can  not  be  too  strongly  opposed. 
The  objections  to  the  policy  of  segregating  the  blind  in 
special  institutions  of  their  own  must  be  recognized  by 
all.  To  adopt  such  a  policy  would  practically  be  to 
deprive  these  afflicted  men  and  women  of  all  contact 
with  sighted  persons,  thus  forcing  them  to  live  under  the 
most  narrow  and  confining  conditions.* 

Aside  from  the  question  of  capacity  of  existing  insti- 
tutions, the  question  of  the  adaptation  of  these  institu- 
tions to  meet  the  special  needs  of  blind  inmates  at  once 
suggests  itself.  These  needs  fall  for  the  most  part  under 
the  heading  of  recreation  and  diversion,  for  except  for 
the  inability  of  blind  persons  to  share  in  the  general 
social  life  of  the  institutions  in  which  they  reside,  their 
condition  is  not  found  to  differ  radically  from  that  of 
their  fellow  inmates. 

Inquiries  made  of  superintendents  of  Homes  for  the 
Aged  regarding  special  provisions  adopted  to  meet  the 
peculiar  needs  of  blind  inmates  evoked  the  admission 
that  this  phase  of  the  situation  had  up  to  the  present 
time  been  practically  ignored.  The  gravity  of  the  situa- 
tion was  equally  as  freely  admitted,  several  of  those 
questioned  stating,  however,  that  in  their  opinion 
existing  conditions  could  easily  be  remedied  if  the  com- 
munity but  manifested  sufficient  interest  in  the  subject. 

*  The  superintendents  of  several  Homes  communicated  with  called  atten- 
tion to  the  advantages  which  blind  inmates  enjoy  by  reason  of  their  contact 
with  sighted  ones,  stating  that  frequently  those  able  to  sec  volunteer  to  perform 
services  of  various  kinds  for  their  less  fortunate  fellow  inmates— services  which 
are  often  valuable  and  important. 

87 


CARE   AND   TREATMENT   OF   THE   JEWISH    BLIND 

The  importance  of  providing  special  facilities  for  the 
diversion  of  blind  men  and  women  residing  in  Homes  for 
the  Aged  can  hardly  be  appreciated  by  those  who  but 
seldom  come  in  contact  with  this  handicapped  class, 
though  the  few  who  realize  the  peculiar  isolation  of  this 
unfortunate  group  can  readily  comprehend  the  value  of 
all  efforts  calculated  to  relieve — even  to  a  small  extent — 
the  monotony  of  their  existence.  Limited  on  all  sides  by 
reason  of  blindness  and  old  age,  compelled  to  submit  to 
the  narrow  routine  of  institutional  life,  these  affficted 
men  and  women  yearn  for  the  simple  pleasures  enjoyed 
by  their  normal  fellowmen,  and  are  deeply  grateful  for 
every  opportunity  afforded  them  for  entertainment  and 
diversion. 

Yet,  as  has  already  been  suggested,  there  would  be 
little  difficulty  in  improving  the  situation.  Much  could 
be  done  by  those  directly  in  charge  of  Homes  for  the 
Aged ;  more  could  be  accomplished  by  organized  outside 
effort. 

By  encouraging  the  sighted  men  and  women  to  hold 
themselves  responsible  for  the  comfort  and  cheer  of  their 
less  fortunate  fellow  inmates;  by  providing  simple  games 
of  amusement  fashioned  in  raised  type,  such  as  dominoes, 
checkers,  etc.,  the  lives  of  these  unfortunate  men  and 
women  might  be  rendered  less  sad  and  dreary.* 

Although  much  might  be  accomplished  along  the  lines 
suggested,  the  outlook  would  nevertheless  be  far  from 
satisfactory  were  no  effort  made  from  the  outside  to 
supplement  such  pleasures  and  diversions  as  could  be 
provided  by  the  institutions  themselves.  The  need  of 
all  blind  persons  for  contact  with  "friendly  visitors," 
discussed  in  a  previous  section,!  is  doubly  emphasized 
in  the  case  of  blind  inmates  of  institutions. 

At  present  this  field  of  service  is  practically  neglected, 
for  the  number  of  men  and  women  who  visit  regularly 
in  the  Homes  for  the  Aged  is  negligible.  Can  it  be 
doubted  that  organized  effort  could  be  made  to  secure 


*  The  suggestion  to  provide  books  in  raised  print  is  not  made  as  most  of  the 
Jewish  inmates  of  the  institutions  here  considered  are  illiterate,  or  if  literate, 
able  to  read  only  Yiddish. 

t  Section  V — Problems  of  Recreation. 

88 


INSTITUTIONAL    PROBLEMS 

the  services  of  a  corps  of  volunteers  to  visit  regularly 
blind  inmates  of  all  institutions,  reading  to  them,  enter- 
taining them,  perhaps  in  special  cases  teaching  them  to 
knit  or  to  weave?  Such  visitors  might  also  hold  them- 
selves responsible  for  a  series  of  entertainments  through- 
out the  year,  entertainments  which  could  be  enjoyed  by 
sighted  as  well  as  by  blind  inmates.  Is  not  this  a  field 
which  might  well  be  cultivated  by  those  persons  of 
leisure  who  desire  to  be  of  social  service,  to  devote  them- 
selves to  some  real  and  vital  need  of  their  less  fortunate 
fellow  beings? 

Conclusion 

Extension  of  the  existing  capacity  of  Homes  for  the 
Aged  by  the  building  of  new  institutions  or  by  the 
enlarging  of  old  ones  and  special  adaptation  of  facilities  of 
existing  institutions  to  meet  the  peculiar  needs  of  their 
blind  inmates — these  are  the  two  definite  recommenda- 
tions which  grow  out  of  a  study  of  the  existing  situation 
as  regards  institutional  care  and  shelter  for  the  Aged 
Blind. 

By  a  sincere  and  hearty  effort  to  improve  the  situation 
along  the  lines  suggested  the  last  days  of  these  afflicted 
men  and  women  might  be  comforted  and  cheered,  bright- 
ened and  illumined. 


89 


VII.     PROBLEMS   OF   BEGGING 


CARE   AND   TREATMENT   OF   THE   JEWISH    BLIND 


VII.     PROBLEMS   OF   BEGGING 

No  study  of  the  blind  would  be  complete  without 
focusing  special  attention  on  those  problems  which  are 
associated  with  the  practice  of  begging,  a  practice  too 
often  resorted  to  by  many  of  these  unfortunate  men 
and  women. 

How  many  of  us  have  ever  passed  a  blind  beggar  on 
the  street  without  experiencing  an  emotion  mixed  of 
pity  and  resentment?  We  are  touched  by  the  sad  figure 
we  behold,  yet  we  can  not  help  but  regard  his  very 
presence  on  the  corner  as  an  intrusion  of  his  misery,  an 
intrusion  from  which  we  ought  to  be  protected. 

Some  of  us  perhaps  subscribe  liberally  to  various 
charitable  and  philanthropic  organizations,  and  there- 
fore feel  justified  in  wondering  why  the  needs  of  this 
unfortunate  and  afflicted  creature  are  not  being  met  in 
a  proper  manner.  Nor  must  it  be  imagined  that  our  irri- 
tation is  caused  by  an  unwillingness  to  give  the  few  cents 
so  pitifully  asked  for.  Rather  is  it  due  to  a  recognition 
of  the  inadequacy  of  such  a  response.  To  give  a  small 
sum  and  to  pass  on  is  to  leave  the  object  of  our  pity 
little  better  off  than  when  we  encountered  him ;  to  refuse 
to  give  is  to  ignore  an  appeal  which  perhaps  should  be  met 
with  generosity. 

How  often  have  we  longed  to  know  the  full  histories 
of  those  who  beg  on  the  corner,  mentally  including  in 
this  class  those  who  perhaps  prefer  to  be  known  as 
peddlers  or  street  musicians,  but  whose  occupation  is  in 
fact  begging  under  another  name!  We  wonder  if  these 
poor  blind  creatures  are  forced  to  seek  funds  in  this  way; 
if  they  are  unable  to  earn  anything  by  legitimate  employ- 
ment; if,  unable  to  work,  they  are  denied  the  relief  which 
should  be  theirs. 

Perhaps  a  study  of  the  industrial  and  social  histories 
of  a  small  group  of  blind  beggars  may  be  illuminating, 
helping  us  to  measure,  to  some  extent,  the  responsibility 

92 


PROBLEMS   OF    BEGGING 

of  the  community,  as  well  as  the  responsibility  of  the 
blind  persons  themselves,  for  the  situation  we  deplore, 
assisting  us  at  the  same  time  to  discover  some  means  of 
meeting  this  situation. 

It  may  be  remembered  that  in  a  previous  section* 
a  number  of  men  were  listed  whose  "occupation"  was 
given  as  begging.  To  the  12  men  thus  listed  should  be 
added  3  men  over  60  years  of  age  and  2  women,  as 
well  as  3  younger  men  also  known  to  be  beggars,  but  not 
included  in  this  investigation  because  of  the  fact  that  it 
was  found  impossible  to  obtain  their  correct  addresses. 
Undoubtedly  among  those  listed  in  the  census  as  "not 
located,"  still  others  are  included  who,  if  visited,  would 
be  discovered  to  follow  the  practice  of  begging.  Even  if 
such  men  and  women  were  included  however,  the  list  of 
Jewish  beggars  would  undoubtedly  not  be  a  long  one, 
yet  long  enough  to  warrant  our  concern. 

An  analysis  of  the  histories  of  the  17  blind  beggars 
located,  reveals  the  fact  that  3  men  of  this  group  were 
too  old  at  the  time  of  becoming  blind  to  make  possible 
any  plans  for  self-support. 

Morris  L.,  the  oldest  of  the  three,  is  not  only  blind,  but 
suffers  from  an  acute  nervous  condition  as  well.  Applying  for 
relief  to  two  charitable  organizations,  he  was  refused  assistance 
because  of  the  discovery  that  he  was  a  professional  beggar — 
an  attitude  on  the  part  of  the  relief  agencies  which  rather 
ironically  encouraged  him  to  continue  the  very  practice  they 
condemned.  Morris  may,  therefore,  still  be  found  living  in  the 
same  miserable  way,  sharing  with  three  other  old  men  rooms  in 
a  dark  and  insanitary  basement  so  cold  in  winter  that  the 
old  man  is  often  forced  to  seek  protection  in  a  synagogue  or 
other  public  place. 

Correspondence  between  the  two  agencies  appealed  to 
reveals  some  discussion  of  the  suggestion  to  secure  Morris' 
admission  into  a  Home  for  the  Aged.  The  suggestion  was, 
however,  not  followed  further,  the  agencies  fearing  that  the 
blind  man  would  be  refused  admission  on  account  of  his  per- 
sonal habits  which  were  known  to  be  filthy  and  generally 
objectionable. 

Clearly,  in  this  instance,  both  charitable  agencies 
completely  evaded  their  responsibility,  for  it  is  obvious 
that  either  relief  should  have  been  granted,  so  enabling 

*  Section  IV— Problems  of  Employment. 

93 


CARE   AND   TREATMENT   OF   THE   JEWISH    BLIND 

the  half  bhnd  old  man  to  live  decently  in  a  private  home, 
or,  if  found  suitable  for  institutional  care,  his  admission 
into  a  Home  for  the  Aged  should  have  been  secured. 

Equally  wretched  is  the  condition  of  David  M.  When 
first  his  eyesight  began  to  fail,  David  was  frequently  assisted 
by  a  charitable  society.  Afterwards,  unable  to  find  work  of 
any  kind,  he  was  regularly  granted  the  amount  necessary  to 
cover  his  rent,  the  agency  deciding  that  by  peddling  shoe 
strings  and  hair  pins — an  occupation  which  was  merely  begging 
under  another  name — the  blind  man  could  earn  his  own  living 
expenses.  For  six  years  relief  was  granted  regularly,  until 
information  obtained  in  an  interview  with  a  subsequently 
discovered  daughter  caused  the  relief  society  to  discontinue 
further  aid.  Stating  that  her  father  was  a  gambler  and  a 
drunkard  who  had  deserted  his  wife  many  years  previous  in 
Europe,  the  daughter  refused  to  interest  herself  in  the  old 
man's  condition.  Relief  having  been  discontinued,  the  agency 
advised  David  to  enter  a  Home.  He  refused  this  advice,  how- 
ever, preferring  to  live  miserably  on  the  meagre  alms  which  he 
is  still  able  to  obtain. 

The  old  man  probably  feels  fully  justified  in  supporting 
himself  by  begging,  for  was  he  not  driven  to  this  method 
of  "earning  a  living"  by  the  inadequacy  of  the  relief 
granted? 

The  relief  society  may  also  be  criticized  for  finally 
withdrawing  all  assistance.  Because  of  the  information 
given  by  David's  daughter  regarding  his  character  and 
past  history,  was  it  proper  and  wise  to  refuse  him  further 
aid,  thus  forcing  the  community  to  support  the  blind  old 
man  in  a  more  indirect  manner? 

Fortunately  the  history  of  Emanuel  M.  illustrates  a  less 
difficult  social  problem.  A  widower,  living  alone,  Emanuel 
became  totally  blind  at  the  age  of  64.  Too  old  to  support  him- 
self, he  was  given  a  home  by  a  married  daughter  who  was 
apparently  able  and  willing  to  provide  for  her  unfortunate 
parent.  Here  Emanuel  lives  in  comparative  comfort,  though 
too  frequently  left  alone,  for  his  daughter  works  irregularly, 
while  her  young  children  are  at  school.  Endowed  with  a 
sociable  and  happy  disposition,  having  a  fondness  for  out-door 
life,  the  old  man  usually  spends  his  mornings  on  a  street  comer 
where  he  may  be  found  selling  pencils  to  sympathetic  passers- 
by.  Undisturbed  by  conscientious  scruples  regarding  this 
form  of  indirect  begging,  he  thus  earns  about  $3  a  week — a  sum 
which  secures  for  him  many  an  extra  little  comfort. 

94 


PROBLEMS   OF    BEGGING 

Under  these  circumstances  may  it  not  well  be  asked 
if  Emanuel  should  be  discouraged  from  an  occupation 
which  is  regarded  by  him  as  both  employment  and 
diversion  unless  an  effort  be  made  at  the  same  time  to 
provide  in  some  other  way  for  these  needs? 

To  the  list  of  those  too  old  to  find  legitimate  employ- 
ment should  be  added  the  name  of  a  fourth  old  man. 
In  this  case,  however,  vision  was  lost  in  early  manhood, 
so  that  the  problem  presented  differs  from  those  previ- 
ously suggested. 

Albert  S.,  becoming  totally  blind  at  the  age  of  22,  was 
suddenly  brought  face  to  face  with  difficulties  which  at  first 
appeared  truly  insurmountable.  Having  obtained  no  assistance 
in  those  early  years  toward  finding  work  which  he  could  per- 
form, having  tried  and  failed  to  earn  a  living  in  various  legiti- 
mate ways,  the  blind  man  at  last  discovered  a  way  out  of 
his  troubles.  He  found  that  by  appealing  for  alms  in  an 
indirect  manner  he  could  "earn"  sufficient  to  provide  for  his 
meagre  wants.  By  praying  in  the  synagogues  in  inclement 
weather  and  by  peddling  pencils  on  the  street  comer  on  fair 
days,  Albert  has  been  able  for  the  past  15  years  to  bring  home 
$4  or  $5  a  week.  A  single  man,  boarding  with  strangers,  he 
finds  it  possible  to  exist  on  the  alms  he  receives — alms  which 
are  supplemented  by  an  occasional  basket  of  groceries  sent  by 
a  charitable  agency. 

Perhaps  it  is  too  late  to  suggest  now  any  other  em- 
ployment which  might  be  followed  by  the  blind  old  man, 
yet  can  it  be  doubted  that  suitable  work  of  some  kind 
could  have  been  discovered  for  him  years  ago,  for  Albert 
is  a  man  of  intelligence  and  education,  who  had  planned 
to  become  a  teacher  before  overcome  by  his  affliction? 
Can  it  be  truly  said  that  Albert  deliberately  chose  the 
occupation  he  now  follows,  or  must  it  rather  be  admitted 
that  he  was  indirectly  forced  into  such  a  course? 

Equally  difficult  to  solve  are  the  problems  of  the  three 
blind  men  handicapped  in  finding  employment  because 
of  poor  health,  as  well  as  because  of  blindness. 

One  of  these,  Leon  F.,  suffers  from  kidney  trouble,  and 
for  several  years  has  been  content  to  beg  while  nominally 
peddling  notions,  thus  adding  about  $2.50  a  week  to  the  family 
income.  Finally  appealing  to  a  charitable  agency  for  assistance 
he  was  refused  relief  because  of  the  fact  that  there  were  three 
other  wage-earners  in  the  family.     Although  the  organization 

95 


CARE   AND   TREATMENT   OF   THE   JEWISH    BLIND 

appealed  to  took  a  sincere  interest  in  the  blind  applicant, 
procuring  for  hini  proper  medical  treatment  and  assisting  him 
to  secure  his  citizen  papers  so  that  later  on  he  might  be  able 
to  obtain  a  blind  pension  from  the  city,  no  effort  was  made  to 
induce  him  to  give  up  the  occupation  followed. 

Was  it  the  duty  of  this  organization  to  try  to  dis- 
suade the  bhnd  appHcant  from  continuing  an  em- 
ployment which  was  virtually  begging  under  another 
name?  Perhaps  so,  yet  had  this  course  been  followed, 
Leon  would  probably  have  called  attention  to  his  need 
for  occupation  to  help  while  away  the  weary  days,  at 
the  same  time  emphasizing  his  very  natural  desire  to 
help  defray  in  some  way  the  expenses  of  the  family? 

Nathan  L.  is  another  sick  blind  man,  wholly  unfit  to  work. 
The  description  given  of  him  by  his  wife  suggests  that  he  is 
mentally  irresponsible  as  well,  having  apparently  lost  both 
physical  and  mental  control.  Filthy  in  his  habits,  profane 
in  his  language,  and  violent  in  his  actions,  Nathan  was  finally 
forced  by  his  wife  and  children  to  leave  their  home  and  seek 
another  place  in  which  to  live.  Though  occasionally  given  a 
few  cents  by  a  member  of  his  family  who  may  chance  to  meet 
him  on  the  street,  the  sick  blind  man  is  largely  dependent  on 
alms  for  his  existence — a  hand  to  mouth  existence,  indeed,  for 
Nathan's  only  bed  is  a  counter  in  a  small  shop  where  he  is 
permitted  to  spend  his  long  and  dreary  nights.  This  present 
condition  is  not  known  by  any  of  the  three  agencies  which 
include  his  name  on  their  registries,  for  when  last  heard  of  by 
these  organizations  Nathan  was  cared  for  by  his  family,  his 
physical  and  mental  condition  being  less  acute  at  that  time. 

But  even  were  the  interested  agencies  in  touch  with 
the  existing  situation,  it  is  doubtful  whether  any  of  them 
could  succeed  in  solving  the  problem  presented.  Would 
it  be  possible  to  induce  the  family  to  relent,  persuading 
them  to  allow  the  unfortunate  old  man  to  live  again 
under  their  roof?  Or  would  it  be  possible  to  secure  Leon's 
entrance  into  a  Home  for  the  Sick  or  the  Blind?  Perhaps 
neither  of  these  plans  would  prove  practical,  yet  only  the 
actual  attempt  to  meet  this  particular  situation  could 
demonstrate  whether,  or  not  a  more  or  less  satisfactory 
solution  in  this  case  could  be  found. 

Very  similar  to  each  other,  though  somewhat  different 
from  the  three  previous  cases,  are  the  histories  of  the  two 
other  men  suffering  from  other  physical  disabilities  as 

96 


PROBLEMS   OF    BEGGING 

well  as  from  blindness.  In  each  case  the  claim  of  ill- 
health  and  consequent  inability  to  contribute  to  his  own 
support  is  made;  in  each  case  the  agency  appealed  to, 
though  admitting  that  the  applicant  is  handicapped  by 
reason  of  his  physical  condition,  nevertheless  contends 
that  he  is  at  present  a  mendicant  by  preference  rather 
than  by  necessity,  asserting  at  the  same  time  that  relief 
formerly  granted  only  resulted  in  the  pauperization  of 
the  blind  man  and  his  family. 

Michel  B.  lost  his  vision  years  ago,  having  previously 
suffered  from  weak  eyesight.  Soon  after  he  found  himself 
compelled  to  give  up  his  regular  employment  the  blind  man 
secured  industrial  training  at  the  New  York  Association 
Shop,  where  because  of  his  poor  physical  condition  he  was 
able  to  earn  but  $2.50  to  $3  a  week.  In  spite  of  the  fact  that 
his  meagre  wages  were  supplemented  by  relief,  Michel  became 
discoiuraged  at  this  work  and  after  two  years  gave  up  his 
employment  at  the  Workshop. 

Effort  was  then  made  to  find  him  other  occupation,  the 
interested  agency  supplying  him  later  with  a  small  stock  of 
tea  and  coffee  in  the  hope  that  by  peddling  his  wares  he 
could  be  made  partially  self-supporting.  Business  aid  was 
continued  over  a  period  of  two  years  until  it  was  suddenly 
discovered  that  Michel  was  not  always  employed  in  the 
legitimate  business  of  peddling,  but  was  spending  much  of  his 
time  roaming  around  office  buildings,  soliciting  alms  from 
from  good-natured  occupants. 

A  third  attempt  was  then  made  to  secure  suitable  employ- 
ment for  the  blind  pensioner.  This  time  Michel  was  estab- 
lished at  a  news  stand — an  enterprise  which  also  soon  ended  in 
failure,  partly  because  of  Michel's  poor  physical  condition  and 
partly  because  of  his  wife's  refusal  to  give  him  the  necessary 
assistance. 

At  this  point  the  charitable  agency  refused  to  continue 
regular  relief,  offering,  however,  to  co-operate  in  any  self- 
support  plan.  Mrs.  B.  was  urged  to  accept  employment  in 
the  agency's  Workshop  for  Women,  but  she  persistently 
refused  to  consider  all  suggestions  to  find  her  suitable  occupa- 
tion, claiming  that  she  was  not  strong  and  so  should  not  be 
expected  to  add  to  the  family  income.  The  B's  arc  at  present, 
therefore,  living  on  alms,  supplemented  by  an  occasional  basket 
of  groceries  sent  in  by  a  second  charitable  agency. 

Who  can  be  held  responsible  for  this  sad  stat{^  of 
affairs?  Certainly  it  must  be  admitted  that  much  tinu- 
and  thought  was  expended  in  a  fruitless  effort  to  make 

97 


CARE   AND   TREATMENT   OF   THE   JEWISH    BLIND 

this  family  self-supporting,  yet  the  responsibility  for  the 
failure  of  these  attempts  is  not  easily  placed.  Is  it  fair 
to  expect  a  half-sick  blind  man  to  work  under  the  most 
trying  circumstances  for  a  weekly  pittance  which  must 
still  be  supplemented  by  relief?  Should  relief  be  dis- 
continued in  all  cases  where  the  wife  refuses  to  co-operate 
in  a  plan  for  self-support?  No  general  response  can  be 
made  to  questions  of  this  nature,  for  experience  has 
shown  that  each  individual  case  must  be  judged  separately 
on  its  own  merits. 

Harry  F.  also  feels  that  he  is  being  denied  a  living  which 
the  world  owes  him,  although  it  is  true  he  has  been  assisted  on 
more  than  one  occasion  by  an  agency  which  made  a  sincere 
effort  to  secure  him  suitable  employment.  After  citizen's 
papers  had  been  obtained  for  the  blind  applicant  he  was 
enabled  to  secure  a  peddler's  license  and  was  then  furnished 
with  a  stock  of  notions,  the  agency  hoping  that  in  spite  of  his 
double  handicap  of  blindness  and  ill  health,  by  peddling  his 
wares  on  the  street  he  would  be  able  to  add  a  small  simi 
weekly  to  the  relief  granted.  But  peddling  soon  proved  to  be 
begging  under  another  name,  although  the  blind  man  always 
carried  a  tray  of  shoe  strings  so  as  to  avoid  being  arrested  by 
a  suddenly  vigilant  police.  This  state  of  affairs  continued  for 
five  years  when  the  agency,  discovering  the  true  nature  of 
Harry's  employment,  and  learning  as  well  of  other  concealed 
sources  of  income,  decided  to  discontinue  relief. 

The  record  of  this  case  indicates  clearly  that  the 
family  had  become  thoroughly  pauperized  during  the 
years  in  which  they  had  been  granted  assistance.  May 
not  the  charitable  agency  however,  as  well  as  the 
applicants  themselves,  be  blamed  for  this  situation? 
The  blind  man  may  well  claim  that  he  had  been  given 
an  opportunity  to  beg  rather  than  a  chance  to  earn  an 
honest  living,  and  he  may  well  add  that  the  business 
plan  suggested  by  the  relief  society — if  business  plan 
it  could  be  called — was  an  impractical  one,  for  he  could 
never  have  hoped  to  earn  more  than  a  negligible  sum  in 
this  way.  Only  a  fuller  study  than  was  made  by  the 
relief  society  of  the  applicant's  physical  condition  and 
business  ability  could  have  revealed  the  possibilities  for 
self-support  in  this  instance. 

In  another  case  relief  was  temporarily  offered,  though 

98 


PROBLEMS   OF    BEGGING 

refused  by  the  blind  applicant  because  of  his  unwillingness 
to  make  an  effort  to  contribute  to  the  family  support. 

Julius  S,  partially  blind  but  in  good  health,  recently 
applied  to  a  relief  agency  for  financial  assistance  toward  the 
support  of  himself  and  family.  Following  an  investigation, 
the  applicant  was  told  that  temporary  relief  would  be  granted — 
only,  however,  until  he  should  be  able  to  find  remunerative 
work  of  some  kind,  the  plan  being  that  the  earnings  of  the 
blind  man,  together  with  those  of  two  other  wage-earners  in 
the  family,  would  ultimately  put  them  in  a  position  to  be 
independent  of  further  charitable  aid.  Although  assistance 
was  offered  in  finding  Julius  suitable  employment,  the  suggested 
plan  was  summarily  rejected  by  him.  Under  these  circum- 
stances relief  was  refused,  the  large  family  being  consequently 
forced  to  live  on  the  small  earnings  of  the  two  grown  children, 
occasionally  supplemented  by  small  sums  obtained  by  the  blind 
father  who  now  begs  irregularly  on  the  street. 

Some  day  perhaps  Julius  will  be  arrested  as  a  vagrant. 
It  may  then  be  hoped  that  he  will  be  compelled  to  do 
work  of  some  kind,  thus  adding  in  a  legitimate  way  to 
the  family  income. 

Unlike  the  previous  histories  are  those  of  two  other 
blind  men — both  single — who,  in  spite  of  their  affliction, 
have  never  asked  for  relief.  Both,  however,  though 
nominal  peddlers  are  virtual  beggars,  living  largely  on 
alms  rather  than  on  actual  earnings.  But  in  both  cases, 
begging  was  only  accepted  as  a  means  of  support  after 
sincere  effort  had  been  made  to  earn  a  living  in  some 
other  manner. 

Adolph  L.,  after  losing  his  eyesight  some  years  ago  was, 
through  the  effort  of  two  philanthropic  organizations,  estab- 
lished at  a  news  stand.  But  the  business  enterprise  was  un- 
successful because  of  the  poor  location  of  the  stand.  After 
its  failure  Adolph  began  to  peddle  songs  on  the  street  corner, 
earning  from  $3  to  $6  a  week  and  supporting  himself  since 
in  this  way.  It  is  perhaps  not  necessary  to  add  that  most  of 
Adolph 's  patrons  have  little  or  no  use  for  the  articles  they 
purchase,  often  in  fact  refusing  to  accept  them  in  payment 
for  the  small  amounts  given  him  out  of  sympathy  for  his  sad 
condition. 

Harry  L.,  too,  was  formerly  given  business  assistance  by  a 
charitable  organization.  Furnished  by  this  agency  with  a  small 
stock  of  pocket-books,  it  was  hoped  that  the  half-blind  young 
applicant  would  be  able  to  earn  a  living  by  peddling  his  wares — 

99 


CARE   AND   TREATMENT   OF   THE   JEWISH    BLIND 

a  hope  which  proved  to  be  ill  founded  however,  for  this  ven- 
ture soon  ended  in  failure.  At  present  Harry  may  be  found 
"peddling  matches" — an  occupation  which  under  any  cir- 
cumstances can  hardly  be  called  suitable  for  a  young  American 
boy  who  has  succeeded  in  finishing  grammar  school. 

Judging  from  the  facts  presented  in  these  two  cases 
does  it  appear  that  nothing  more  could  be  done  for  these 
young  men,  both  of  them  apparently  intelligent  and  eager 
to  earn  a  living  in  a  more  self-respecting  manner?  Surely 
failure  to  support  themselves  with  the  assistance  once 
given  them  should  not  discourage  further  efforts  to  help 
them  find  suitable  occupation.  Such  occupation  could 
in  all  probability  eventually  be  found,  although  its 
nature  could  only  be  determined  after  a  careful  study 
in  each  instance  of  the  particular  situation  had  been 
made  by  an  expert  in  handling  industrial  problems  of 
this  kind. 

That  begging  in  one  guise  or  another  is  often  a  most 
profitable  form  of  employment,  competing  favorably 
with  legitimate  occupation,  is  illustrated  in  the  four 
following  instances: 

Louis  H.,  a  totally  blind  man,  27  years  old,  has  for 
several  years  been  able  to  support  himself  and  family,  con- 
sisting of  his  wife  and  three  young  children,  as  a  street  musician. 
Early  in  the  morning  and  late  in  the  afternoon  Louis  takes  his 
stand  on  a  crowded  street  comer  where,  by  playing  on  a 
harmonica,  he  appeals  to  the  nimierous  men  and  women  who 
pass  him  by  on  their  way  to  and  from  work.  When  questioned 
regarding  his  attitude  toward  this  occupation,  the  blind  man 
declared  that  he  considered  himself  a  musician  not  a  beggar, 
but  at  the  same  time  expressed  a  strong  desire  to  find  some 
other  means  of  earning  a  livelihood.  Intelligent,  well  educated 
and  apparently  energetic,  Louis  declared  that  he  ought  to  be 
given  an  opportunity  to  find  remunerative  work  of  another 
kind,  complaining  that  all  such  efforts  on  his  part  had  here- 
tofore been  fruitless.  Various  philanthropic  organizations 
applied  to  for  business  aid  had  been  unable  to  submit  any 
plan  whereby  he  might  earn  an  honest  livelihood. 

Under  these  circumstances  is  it  just  to  class  the 
blind  street  musician  as  a  wilful  beggar,  or  do  the  facts  in 
the  case  rather  support  him  in  his  assertion  that  he  is 
forced  to  "earn  his  living"  as  best  he  can? 

100 


PROBLEMS   OF   BEGGlJ^G'       '''  '".•  *■  ^''^ 

Daniel  E.  also  supported  himself  and  family  by  playing 
on  the  street,  until  recently  persuaded  by  an  interested  asso- 
ciation to  discontinue  this  employment.  After  the  partial 
loss  of  his  eyesight  four  years  ago,  Daniel  purchased  an  organ 
and  soon  found  that  he  could  make  from  $15  to  $18  a  week  at 
this  occupation. 

Inspired  by  her  husband's  success,  Mrs.  E.  too  became 
an  organ-grinder,  both  husband  and  wife  not  only  supporting 
themselves  and  seven  children  on  the  money  thus  obtained,  but 
accumulating,  at  the  same  time,  savings  which  finally  amounted 
to  $1200. 

It  was  only  after  Mrs.  E.  was  arrested  as  a  vagrant  and 
referred  by  the  court  to  a  charitable  agency  that  the  family 
finally  came  in  contact  with  a  relief  society.  Daniel  was  then 
persuaded  by  this  organization  to  invest  several  hundred  dol- 
lars of  his  savings  in  a  small  candy  store  and  soda-water  stand, 
a  business  venture  which  is  too  recent  to  permit  any  definite 
conclusions  to  be  drawn. 

The  prediction  may  well  be  made  that  should  Daniel 
eventually  fail  in  his  present  enterprise,  he  will  finally 
resume  his  former  occupation,  preferring  employment  of 
a  kind  which  proved  to  be  so  profitable  to  any  other  at 
present  available  to  a  blind  man  in  his  position.* 

Unlike  Daniel  E.,  Emil  X.  has  steadily  refused  to  dis- 
continue begging,  although  several  times  given  the  opportunity 
to  earn  money  in  a  self-respecting  manner. 

When  three  years  ago  Emil  suddenly  lost  his  vision,  he 
and  his  family  applied  for  support  to  a  charitable  agency. 
The  necessary  relief  was  promptly  granted,  Emil  being  told 
that  full  support  would  be  regularly  granted  until  such  time 
as  he  should  be  able  to  find  remunerative  work  of  some  kind. 
On  the  advice  of  the  relief  society  Emil  entered  the  workshop 
of  the  New  York  Association  in  order  to  learn  the  trade  of 
chair-caning.  After  a  few  months  however,  he  refused  to 
continue  longer  at  this  work,  claiming  that  he  was  discouraged 
because  of  the  small  amount  which  he  was  able  to  earn  in  this 
way. 

Meanwhile  further  investigation  made  by  the  interested 
agency  revealed  the  fact  that  the  applicant's  past  history  had 
been  a  disreputable  one.  Several  years  previous  he  had  been 
convicted  of  felony,  while  he  was  known  by  many  at  the  time 
of  enquiry  to  be  both  a  gambler  and  a  heavy  drinker.  Mrs.  X., 
too,  bore  an  unsavory  reputation  in  the  neighborhood,  being 


*  Later  entry  on  U.  H.  C.  record  under  date  of  July  '17  states  that  man 
feels  fully  satisfied  up  to  the  present  time  with  his  business  venture,  bemg  able 
to  earn  a  fair  living  for  himself  from  the  profits  of  his  stand. 


101 


CARE   AND   TREATMENT   OF   THE   JEWISH    BLIND 

regarded  as  immoral.  The  relief  visitor  apparently  found 
herself  unable  to  cope  with  characters  of  this  kind,  for 
the  record  of  the  case  shows  clearly  that  she  was  thoroughly 
intimidated  by  the  demands  and  even  threats  of  the  applicants. 
In  spite  of  the  fact  that  the  blind  man  had  already  proved  his 
unwillingness  to  do  legitimate  work,  having  refused  an  offer 
previously  made  to  establish  him  at  a  news  stand,  the  visitor 
recommended  that  further  aid  be  granted  him  so  that  he 
might  purchase  a  stock  of  pencils  to  peddle.  Wearing  a  sign 
"permanently  blind"  and  accompanied  off  and  on  by  one  of 
his  young  children,  the  blind  man  soon  "earned"  from  $7  to 
$8  a  week  by  "peddling"  his  wares.  Regular  relief  was  later 
discontinued,  though  occasionally  small  sums  are  still  granted 
in  order  that  Emil  may  from  time  to  time  replenish  his  stock — 
sometimes  of  pencils,  sometimes  of  chewing  gimi. 

Clearly  the  policy  pursued  by  the  relief  association 
in  this  case  has  been  a  mistaken  one.  Should  not  effort 
have  been  made  to  secure  court  action  against  both 
Emil  and  his  wife,  either  compelling  the  parents  to 
better  their  ways,  or  depriving  them  of  the  custody  of 
their  children? 

Fanny  O.,  too,  can  testify  to  the  profitable  nature  of 
begging. 

Several  years  ago  Mr.  O.,  since  deceased,  became  a  chronic 
invalid,  no  longer  able  to  support  his  blind  wife  and  crippled 
daughter.  When  application  was  made  to  a  relief  society  a 
liberal  allowance  was  granted  the  afflicted  family,  an  allowance 
which  was  continued  regularly  over  a  period  of  15  years.  Only 
after  the  death  of  the  husband  two  years  ago  was  it  discovered 
that  all  three  members  of  the  family  had  been  begging  regularly 
while  supposed  to  be  practically  unable  to  leave  their  home. 
In  the  course  of  time  $2000  had  been  accumulated,  for  the 
family  had  lived  most  frugally,  putting  aside  a  great  part  of 
the  money  received  in  the  form  both  of  relief  and  of  alms. 
When  the  true  facts  were  learned  by  the  charitable  agency, 
relief  was,  of  course,  discontinued,  the  mother  and  daughter 
at  present  living  for  the  most  part  on  "savings"  which  had 
been  safely  deposited  in  a  bank. 

Is  it  a  matter  for  surprise  that  this  family,  finding  it 
so  easy  to  impose  on  the  community,  cleverly  took 
advantage  of  the  situation?  Surely,  relief  agencies  must 
be  doubly  careful  in  their  supervision  of  handicapped 
pensioners,  realizing  their  frequent  temptation  to  make 
capital   of   their   affliction    by    beseeching   from   private 

102 


PROBLEMS   OF    BEGGING 

individuals   that  support  which   has  already  been   pro- 
vided. 

In  the  case  of  another  blind  woman  begging  was  re- 
sorted to  as  a  means  of  livelihood. 

Hannah  G. — a  widow  without  children — supported  herself 
for  over  16  years  as  a  finisher  of  men's  clothes.  At  last,  how- 
ever, the  eyesight  of  the  old  woman  began  to  fail,  although 
she  still  persisted  in  continuing  at  her  work,  often  leaving  her 
home  in  the  morning  with  twenty  or  more  needles  which  had 
been  threaded  by  the  janitor's  young  daughter.  Only  after 
Hannah's  vision  was  almost  gone  did  she  give  up  her  employ- 
ment, forced  in  tne  end  to  apply  to  a  charitable  agency  for 
assistance. 

In  the  course  of  the  investigation  made  by  the  relief 
society  several  brothers  and  sisters  were  discovered,  able  and 
willing  to  give  the  unfortunate  woman  a  home.  But  Hannah 
refused  to  accept  the  proferred  assistance,  stating  that  she 
had  been  estranged  from  her  family  for  years  because  of  their 
harsh  treatment  and  so  could  not  entertain  the  thought  of  a 
reconciliation.  The  agency  considered  it  unwise,  under  the 
circumstances,  to  grant  relief  to  the  destitute,  nearly  blind 
woman,  who,  on  the  other  hand,  preferred  to  endure  untold 
hardships  rather  than  accept  the  support  tendered  by  her 
relatives.  By  offering  candy  for  sale  on  the  street  comer  the 
old  woman  found  that  she  could  make  an  appeal  to  passers-by, 
thus  obtaining  from  them  the  few  cents  a  day  on  which  she 
manages  to  exist. 

Must  we,  in  this  instance,  support  the  relief  agency 
in  its  attitude,  or  must  we  take  issue  with  its  decision? 
In  view  of  the  circumstances  of  the  case  many  will  per- 
haps sympathize  with  the  viewpoint  of  the  applicant 
who  considers  herself  fully  justified  in  following  her 
present  occupation. 


Conclusion 

Recalling  the  varied  histories  of  these  rnen  and 
women — old  and  young,  weak  and  strong,  partially  and 
totally  blind — can  it  be  said  that  any  light  is  shed  on 
the  problems  which  their  unfortunate  condition  j^tresents? 
Has  a  study  of  these  histories  revealed  what  should  be 

103 


CARE   AND   TREATMENT   OF   THE   JEWISH    BLIND 

our  attitude  when  appealed  to  on  the  street?  Should 
we,  in  the  future,  turn  our  heads  away  as  we  pass  a  poor 
blind  beggar,  or  should  we  drop  a  coin  into  the  out- 
stretched hand?  Should  we,  perhaps,  follow  a  third 
course,  seeking  to  find  and  interest  the  appropriate  agency 
in  his  behalf? 

It  has  unfortunately  been  discovered  that  such  an 
agency  does  not  always  exist,  for  a  study  of  several  of 
these  histories  has  revealed  a  need  which  has  already  been 
discussed  in  a  previous  chapter,  the  need  for  a  specialized 
Jewish  agency  to  furnish  suitable  training  and  employ- 
ment and  give  appropriate  business  aid  to  those  hand- 
capped  individuals  who  can  not  compete  with  normal 
men  and  women.  Several  of  the  existing  philanthropic 
agencies,  it  is  true,  sometimes  undertake  these  functions, 
yet  more  often  is  the  responsibility  evaded.  Often  these 
agencies  grant  relief  without  making  an  effort  to  force 
applicants  to  contribute  to  their  own  support;  often  they 
even  encourage  applicants  to  supplement  relief  by  beg- 
ging in  a  direct  or  indirect  manner. 

Relief  agencies  may  well  claim  to  be  discouraged  by 
the  frequent  failure  of  efforts  made  to  help  blind  appli- 
cants to  contribute  to  their  own  support.  But  does  all 
past  experience  indicate  that  the  situation  is  a  hopeless 
one?  A  careful  analysis  of  such  attempts  as  have  been  made 
by  charitable  associations  to  assist  blind  men  to  earn  a 
livelihood  would  perhaps  reveal  the  causes  of  failure,  while, 
at  the  same  time,  pointing  the  way  to  a  larger  measure  of 
success.  In  some  cases,  in  all  probability,  the  causes  of 
failure  would  prove  to  be  of  such  a  nature  as  to  discourage 
any  further  efforts  to  make  blind  men,  under  certain  con- 
ditions, even  partially  self-supporting,  either  because 
such  cases  had  revealed  an  unwillingness  on  the  part  of 
these  applicants  to  co-operate  sincerely  in  any  self-support 
plan,  or  because  certain  inherent  difficulties  in  the  situa- 
tion, not  to  be  overcome,  had  been  discovered;  in  other 
cases,  however,  the  causes  of  failure  would  perhaps  but 
emphasize  certain  weaknesses  on  the  part  of  the  inter- 
ested agencies,  weaknesses  which  could  probably  be  elimi- 
nated to  a  great  extent.  It  would  perhaps  be  found  that 
frequently  relief   agencies  submit   business   propositions 

104 


PROBLEMS   OF    BEGGING 

which  must  necessarily  end  disastrously,  based  as  they  often 
are  on  insufficient  knowledge  of  the  particular  situation  to 
be  dealt  with.  Only  after  a  careful  study  has  first  been 
made  of  the  applicant's  character  and  ability,  only  after  a 
careful  investigation  has  first  been  made  of  the  business 
and  industrial  opportunities  open  to  one  in  his  unfortunate 
condition,  can  the  relief  agency  hope  to  be  in  a  position  to 
take  action,  for  only  then  can  it  be  determined  if  a  practical 
self-support  plan  can  be  found.  While  it  is  true  that  at 
best  the  industrial  and  commercial  field  open  to  the  blind 
must  necessarily  remain  a  narrow  one,  nevertheless  much 
could  be  done  to  better  the  existing  situation.  Not  until 
this  situation  is  improved  can  it  be  hoped  that  the  prac- 
tice of  begging  will  be  less  often  followed,  a  practice  which, 
though  degrading,  yet  frequently  offers  the  blind  man  a 
chance  to  "earn"  a  relatively  large  sum,  while  giving  him 
at  the  same  time  an  opportunity  to  vary  the  monotony  of 
his  dreary  existence. 

But  granted  that  the  problems  of  many  could  be  solved 
by  securing  suitable  employment — supplementing  earnings 
by  relief  when  necessary — what  should  be  done  for  those 
destitute  blind  men  and  women  who,  further  handicapped 
by  old  age  or  ill  health,  can  not  hope  to  find  remunerative 
occupation?  Obviously  a  decent  living  must  be  assured 
these  unfortunate  individuals.  Those  who  require 
institutional  care  should  be  placed  in  institutions  for  the 
sick  or  aged;  those  who  are  able  to  procure  proper  care 
in  private  homes  should  be  granted  adequate  relief  under 
careful  supervision.  All  those  unfit  for  work — whether 
dependent  or  supported  by  their  own  families — should 
be  discouraged  from  asking  alms.  Only  by  offering  them, 
however,  additional  opportunities  for  recreation  and 
diversion,  can  it  be  hoped  that  they  will  be  induced  to 
discontinue  this  practice. 

Suitable  employment,  adequate  relief,  appropriate 
institutional  care,  proper  recreational  opportunities, — 
only  after  the  community  has  adopted  a  social  program 
mindful  of  all  these  needs,  is  it  justified  in  resorting  to 
those  coercive  measures  sometimes  suggested  as  a  means 
of  suppressing  the  practice  of  begging.  Only  as  a  last 
resort  should  the  policy  of  refusing  occupation  licenses  to 

105 


CARE  AND  TREATMENT   OF   THE  JEWISH   BLIND 

all  those  handicapped  individuals  who  would  in  all  prob- 
ability merely  regard  these  licenses  as  permits  to  beg  be 
adopted, — a  policy  which  would  also  involve  the  arrest- 
ing as  vagrants  of  those,  who  without  licenses,  would 
nevertheless  persist  in  asking  alms  of  a  sympathetic  and 
often  deceived  public. 


106 


VIII.     GENERAL  CONCLUSION 


CARE   AND   TREATMENT   OF   THE   JEWISH    BLIND 


VIII.     GENERAL   CONCLUSION 

Having  covered  the  fields  of  relief-giving,  begging, 
employment,  recreation  and  institutional  care  with  rela- 
tion to  the  Jewish  blind,  what  are  the  practical  suggestions 
which  grow  out  of  a  study  of  the  whole  situation? 

These  suggestions  can  be  embodied  in  one  specific 
recdmmendation — the  recommendation  to  establish  a 
Bureau  for  the  Jewish  blind  with  the  following  definite 
functions: 

1.  To  act  as  a  clearing  house  for  the  blind,  directing  all 
blind  Jewish  men,  women,  and  children  to  the  various  agencies 
and  institutions  which  at  present  exist,  but  which  in  many 
cases  are  not  utilized  by  this  group  either  because  they  do 
not  know  of  their  existence,  or  because  they  fail  to  realize 
their  significance. 

When  it  is  remembered  that  there  are  some  thirty 
agencies  and  institutions  in  Manhattan  offering  services 
to  the  blind,  and  that  a  large  number  of  these  organiza- 
tions are  practically  unutilized  by  the  Jewish  blind,  it 
will  readily  be  seen  that  advice  and  guidance  along  these 
lines  would  become  an  important  function  of  the  Bureau. 

2.  To  co-ordinate  all  existing  effort  in  this  field,  preventing 
duplication  of  work,  and  to  co-operate  with  existing  agencies 
and  institutions,  encouraging  and  stimulating  them  to  extend 
and  amplify  their  activities  along  suitable  lines. 

In  the  fields  of  recreation,  education,  prevention  of 
blindness,  medical  care  and  shelter  for  the  blind,  much 
can  be  done  by  the  existing  agencies,  whose  activities  in 
these  directions  might  well  be  aided  and  encouraged  by  a 
central  bureau. 

3.  To  centralize  the  administration  of  relief  in  one  agency. 

The  advantages  that  would  accrue  from  unification 
of  this  nature  have  already  been  discussed  at  length  and 
need  not  again  be  emphasized. 

108 


GENERAL   CONCLUSION 

4.  To  establish  a  Department  of  Employment,  perhaps  in 
conjunction  with  an  employment  agency  for  other  handi- 
capped groups. 

This  department  should  be  developed  along  the  lines 
already  suggested,  and  should  work  in  close  co-operation 
with  the  New  York  Association  for  the  Blind,  the  New 
York  Commission  for  the  Blind,  the  United  Hebrew 
Charities,  the  New  York  Guild  for  the  Jewish  Blind,  the 
Hebrew  Association  for  the  Blind  and  the  Special  Com- 
mittee on  the  Blind  of  the  Council  of  Jewish  Women. 

No  attempt  will  be  made  to  work  out  the  details  of 
the  suggested  Bureau  other  than  to  emphasize  the  nec- 
essity for  a  trained,  experienced,  broad-minded  executive 
at  its  head,  and  to  suggest  that  its  Board  of  Directors 
include  men  and  women  representative  of  all  interested 
groups. 

The  Jewish  community  owes  it  to  itself,  no  less  than 
to  the  unfortunate  class  here  considered,  to  adopt  a 
comprehensive  program  calculated  to  deal  justly  and 
broadly  with  this  neglected  and  handicapped  group. 


109 


PRESSOR 

CLARENCES.  NATHAN,  INC., 

NEW  YORK. 


THIS  BOOK  IS  DUE  ON  THE  LAST  DATE 
STAMPED  BELOW  "•*™ 

tliVlsltiJ^^^^^  CENTS 

THIS   BOOK   Sn   ?S   DA^/n"-"'''"  ^°    "^^""N 

WILL.  INCREASE  TO  SO  CEN?r-    """"^   ^^'^^''^^ 

DAY    AND    TO    $I.OO    OM    TM ^^         """^  ''°'''''"" 
OVERDUE.  ^    ^"^    SEVENTH     DAY 


LD21-I00m  7,'33 


376)5' 

lY. 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 


w 


f 


